U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has reintroduced a measure that would correct the service records of veterans who were discharged over their sexual orientation — a bill that could affect the records of as many as 100,000 individuals drummed out of the service under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other previous anti-gay practices dating back decades.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

Schatz first introduced the Restore Honor to Service Members Act in early 2014 along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. Charles Rangel and Mark Pocan. While the measure languished last year, support for anti-discrimination and civil rights measures affecting lesbian and gay people, including service members, has grown significantly.

That progress is most visibly illustrated by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision approving gay marriage, but changes in the military have been significant, as well. Last month, for instance, Army Brig. Gen. Randy Taylor introduced his husband at a gay pride event held at the Pentagon and attended by, among others, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Army Secretary John McHugh.

Like last year’s bill, the 2015 version would correct the records of veterans who received dishonorable or less than honorable discharges simply for being gay. Such discharges often haunt veterans throughout their lives, costing them benefits they might otherwise have received and requiring explanations to prospective employers, for instance. Many veterans also find them emotionally painful — a continual reminder of what for many was a traumatic separation from service.

“Today, thousands of brave men and women who served our country are still denied the benefits and honorable service record they deserve,” said Schatz in a statement. “It’s long past time we honor our commitment to all our service members and finally restore the dignity of gay and lesbian veterans who were unjustly discharged from our military.”

In addition to Schatz and Gillibrand, 20 other Democratic senators are co-sponsoring the bill, including Sen. Mazie Hirono. Pocan and Rangel are joined in the House by a bipartisan group of 97 colleagues, including Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai. Already much larger than it was when the measure was introduced last year, the number of supporters in the Senate and House is expected to grow significantly in coming days and weeks.

The bill also has the support of the American Bar Association, American Veterans for Equal Rights and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, among others.