Ross Hemminger is president of Log Cabin Republicans, a national organization dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives and allies.

In an era when political courage is increasingly rare, Sen. Susan Collins has distinguished herself through a decades-long commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of gay and lesbian Americans. Sen. Collins’ record demonstrates that principled leadership can transcend partisan boundaries and help move our nation toward greater equality.

Long before support for gay rights became politically convenient, Sen. Collins was willing to stand apart from most in her own party and advocate for policies that ensured gay and lesbian Americans received equal treatment under the law. Her support has not been episodic or politically expedient, it has been consistent throughout her career in the United States Senate.

One of the earliest examples of Sen. Collins’ leadership came during the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sen. Collins did more than merely vote for repeal; she co-authored the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 that ultimately ended the policy.

When the repeal took effect in 2011, it marked a watershed moment for equality and allowed thousands of patriotic Americans to serve their country openly and honestly. She even worked to restore the benefits of those gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers by co-sponsoring the Restore Honor to Service Members Act in 2023.

Sen. Collins also played a pivotal role in the battle against workplace discrimination. In 2013, she served as the lead Republican co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Her leadership sent a powerful message: no American should lose a job or face discrimination simply because of who they are.

That commitment reached its culmination in 2022 when Sen. Collins became a chief architect of the Respect for Marriage Act. By shepherding the legislation through the Senate, Sen. Collins ensured that millions of same-sex couples would continue to enjoy the rights, responsibilities and legal protections that come with marriage.

The Respect for Marriage Act was not simply a symbolic victory. It provided certainty for
families across America and represented one of the most significant gay rights achievements in recent years. Sen. Collins described the legislation as a measure that would “prevent discrimination, promote equality and protect the rights of all Americans.” Those words reflect a philosophy that has guided her work for decades.

In today’s hyperpartisan political environment, it is easy to forget how much progress often depends on lawmakers willing to bridge divides.

Major civil rights legislation rarely succeeds through support from one party alone. Sen. Collins has repeatedly demonstrated that advancing equality requires coalition-building, compromise and the courage to stand by one’s convictions. Whether fighting for open military service, workplace protections or marriage equality, she has consistently chosen inclusion over division.

No elected official agrees with every advocacy group on every issue. Yet, when examining the broad arc of gay rights over the past quarter century, Susan Collins’ contributions are undeniable. From helping end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to championing workplace fairness and ultimately codifying protections for marriage equality, she has repeatedly used her position to advance equal treatment under the law.

History often judges leaders not by their rhetoric but by their actions. By that measure, Sen. Susan Collins has earned her place as one of the most important allies in the fight for equality. Her long record demonstrates that her support for equal rights is not a passing political fad, but a deeply rooted commitment from which she has never wavered.