Kamala Harris’ Complete Track Record on LGBTQ Issues
When it comes to LGBTQ rights, Vice President Kamala Harris has talked the talk and walked the walk for decades.
District Attorney of San Francisco
2003
In her first race for District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris receives campaign advice from Jim Rivaldo, a veteran LGBTQ activist who previously worked on the first campaign of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California in 1978.
2003
One of Harris’ first acts as DA was to establish a hate crimes unit to prosecute anti-LGBTQ violence and provide assistance for its victims.
Feb. 14, 2004
On Valentine’s Day, Harris officiated same-sex marriages two days after Mayor Gavin Newsom authorizes issuing licenses to same-sex couples.
June 24, 2005
Harris speaks at the beginning of the Trans March in 2005.
July 2006
Harris convenes a national conference for law enforcement officers and prosecutors to discuss options to counter the “gay and transgender panic” defense, which was used to justify violence and murders of LGBTQ people.
Attorney General of California
June 10, 2012
Harris receives the George Moscone Ally Award by Christopher Street West and rides in the LA Pride parade.
2013
After being elected California Attorney General, Harris files an amicus brief, arguing Proposition 8—which banned gay marriage in her state—is unconstitutional and that the initiative's sponsors do not have legal standing to represent California's interests by defending the law in federal court. In June of that year, the proposition was struck down.
2014
Legislation that bans the gay and trans panic defense, which Harris co-sponsored, becomes law in California.
July 28, 2016
Harris joins two amicus briefs in North Carolina and Texas that defend transgender people’s right to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.
“I urge the courts to strike down hateful and degrading laws that perpetuate fear and intolerance and to uphold policies—like those in California—that protect transgender people from discrimination.”
U.S. Senate
2017
Harris calls Trump’s transgender military ban “discriminatory, wrong and un-American.”
Feb. 28, 2019
Harris introduces the Do No Harm Act, which would stop religious beliefs from being used to discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
June 2019
Harris introduces a bill that would require all insurance providers to cover PrEP and related HIV prevention services.
Oct. 10, 2019
During CNN’s 2019 LGBT Town Hall, Harris calls for an end to unequal treatment based on sexual orientation in the workplace.
“How can we defend that our LGBTQ brothers and sisters are treated differently under the law when they walk into their place of work? I will fight for equality.”
Vice Presidency
June 2021
Harris makes history as the first sitting U.S. vice president to attend a Pride march and begins hosting LGBTQ Pride events at the V.P. residence
March 2023
Harris travels to Ghana, where today it is legal to imprison LGBTQ people. While there, she discusses the importance of "fighting for equality for all people."
June 2023
Harris slams lawmaking 'extremists' at her annual Pride Month celebration.
Harris visits the Stonewall Inn, celebrating its place in gay rights history and warning that many queer Americans live in fear due to draconian anti-LGBTQ laws and hostile rhetoric from right-wing legislatures and Republican leaders.
Feb. 12, 2024
Harris reunites with a couple she married 20 years ago and reflects on the progress of the LGBTQ movement.
Sept. 10, 2024
During the Presidential Debate, Harris said that it is important that transgender individuals who rely on the state for care receive the treatment they need. “I support policies ensuring that federal prisoners and detainees are able to obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or detained. Transition treatment is a medical necessity, and I will direct all federal agencies responsible for providing essential medical care to deliver transition treatment.”
Oct. 16, 2024
Harris responded to the ads in an interview on Fox News where she pointed out that gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, was provided under Trump’s administration. “I think [Trump] spent $20 million on those ads trying to create a sense of fear in the voters because he actually has no plan in this election that is about focusing on the needs of the American people,” Harris said. “$20 million on that ad, on an issue that, as it relates to the biggest issues that affect the American people, it’s really quite remote. And again, his policy was no different.”
If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button:
 | A guest post by
|