Whereas individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (referred to in this preamble as LGBTQ ) include individuals— (1) from all States, territories, and the District of Columbia; and (2) from all faiths, races, national origins, socioeconomic statuses, disability statuses, education levels, and political beliefs; Whereas LGBTQ individuals 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, politics, technology, literature, and civil rights; Whereas LGBTQ individuals in the United States served on the front lines during the COVID–19 pandemic as doctors, nurses, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders in all States, territories, and the District of Columbia, and continue to serve on the front lines today; Whereas the persistent failure of Federal and State officials to collect full and accurate data on sexual orientation and gender identity causes tremendous harm to LGBTQ individuals in the United States, who remain largely invisible to the government entities entrusted with ensuring their health, safety, and well-being; Whereas LGBTQ individuals in the United States serve, and have served, in the United States Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Marines honorably and with distinction and bravery; Whereas a decades-long Federal policy, known as the Lavender Scare , threatened and intimidated Federal public servants from employment due to their sexual orientation by alleging LGBTQ individuals posed a threat to national security, preventing many more from entering the workforce