Being shortsighted isn’t a good look.
1972 - Bernie wrote a letter in support of abolishing all laws dealing with abortion, sexual behavior (adultery, homosexuality, etc.), and drugs
1983 - Sanders signed the first proclamation to create the first Gay & Lesbian Pride Day in Burlington, VT
1985 - Burlington passes proclamation protecting LGBTQ people from housing and employment discrimination
1993 - When Congress members attacked non-discrimination in DC, Sanders voted “no”
1993 - Voted “no” on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
1995 - Sanders rebuked Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham for using the word “homos” when talking about gay people in the military
1996 - Voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
1999 - When Congress tried to keep domestic partners from adopting children in DC, Sanders voted “no”
2001 - When Congress tried to keep domestic partners from receiving health benefits, Sanders challenged it
2004 - Voted against the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
2007 - Voted to expand and strengthen penalties for violent crimes committed in the basis of sexual orientation
2009 - Voted to expand federal hate crimes to cover offenses motivated by gender identity and sexual orientation
2009 - Supported Vermont’s first-in-the-country law legalizing gay marriage
2010 - Voted to overturn “don’t ask, don’t tell”
2011 - Called on President Obama to support marriage equality
2013 - Co-sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
2013 - Co-sponsored the United Families Act to allow LGBTQ Americans to bring their partners to the Us
2014 - Co-sponsored the International Human Rights Defense Act
2015 - Co-sponsored Civil Rights to include sexual orientation and gender identity protected categories
2016 - Co-sponsored Bill to designate June 26, 2016 as LGBTQ Equality Day
2016 - Bernie condemned conversion therapy
2017 - Co-sponsored the Every Child Deserves a Family Act which prohibits foster care entities from receiving federal assistance if they discriminate against prospective LGBTQ parents
2018 - Committed to passing the Equality Act
2019 - Has proposed a comprehensive housing plan that addresses societal homelessness, which disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ community
2019 - Committed to advancing policies that ensure fair treatment for transgender people who are targeted by police unfairly
But yeah, Bernie Sanders “skipping” a forum on LGBTQ rights to host campaign rallies is breaking news