Whereas individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (referred to in this preamble as LGBTQ ) include individuals from all States and the District of Columbia and all faiths, races, national origins, socioeconomic statuses, education levels, and political beliefs; Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States have made, and continue to make, vital contributions to the United States and to the world in every aspect, including in the fields of education, law, health, business, science, research, economic development, architecture, fashion, sports, government, music, film, technology, literature, civil rights, and politics; Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders in all States and the District of Columbia; Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve, and have served, the United States Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, honorably and with distinction and bravery; Whereas an estimated number of more than 100,000 brave men and women were discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States between the beginning of World War II and 2011 because of their sexual orientation, including the discharge of more than 13,000 men and women under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in place between 1994 and 2011; Whereas LGBTQ people in the United States serve, and have served, in positions in the Federal Government and State and local governments, including as Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and city council members; Whereas, throughout much of the history of the United States, same-sex relationships were criminalized in many States and many LGBTQ people in the United States were forced to hide their LGBTQ identities while living in secrecy and fear