The Speaker supports LGBT rights
LGBT rights have long been supported by Pelosi. She opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and in 2004 and 2006, she opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have amended the United States Constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman on a federal level, superseding the individual rights of states to legalize same-sex unions. Pelosi issued a statement praising the "historic judgment" made by the California Supreme Court in 2008, which overturned the state's prohibition on same-sex unions. She also subtly expressed her opposition to Proposition 8, a state election measure that was approved in 2008 and which established the legal definition of marriage in California as a union between one man and one woman.
It also puts her at odds with Catholic theology, which defines marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman, according to Pelosi's 2012 statement. Pelosi said her position on LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, arises from and reflects her Catholic religion.
Pelosi is in favor of the Equality Act, which would make it illegal to discriminate based on gender identity and sexual orientation by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She advocated for the bill in Congress in 2019 and called for an end to discrimination against LGBT people. Pelosi also opposes Trump's ban on transgender service members.
The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Act, which forbade openly serving LGBT individuals in the military, should be repealed, in her opinion. She also backed the James Byrd Jr. and Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She frequently makes an appearance at LGBT gatherings, and she has even made a guest appearance on Ru Paul's Drag Race.
