“There’s nothing more American than the fight for equality,” President Joseph R. Biden said to the crowd at the Philadelphia Gay News Stonewall Awards celebration on June 7. “It’s a struggle as old as our country. America is the only country in the world built on an idea. Every other country is built based on geography or religion or ethnicity, but America is built on an idea. The idea is that we’re all created equal.”
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, introduced Biden and touted his record on marriage equality, efforts to reduce LGBTQ+ discrimination on the federal level, and appointments of LGBTQ+ cabinet members, including Pete Buttigieg and Dr. Rachel Levine.
“The President committed when he was elected that he would have an administration that looked like America,” Kenyatta said. “He didn’t just say that. He did it.”
Biden received rapturous applause from the 150 LGBTQ leaders and allies in attendance at the Arts Ballroom. He spoke with gravity and reverence when acknowledging the historical struggles for equality, including the Stonewall Rebellion, and he recognized the courage early activists needed to be open about who they were.
“You risked a hell of a lot. You’re risking jobs, risking your family, and you’re really risking your very lives for the cause of equality.”
He then brought the focus forward, referencing several times the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in today’s current political climate.
“Right now, it’s no small part because of the vitriol of our national debate that young people staying home alone are so very scared to death…I want to say to all the young people, just be you, be who you are. You’re loved. You’re loved by more and more people.”
Along with his words of support, Biden acknowledged that the primary opposition to LGBTQ+ rights exists within the Republican Party and Trump administration. He got a laugh from the crowd when he hinted that some Republican legislators remain in the closet. “By the way, I wonder how many of them are gay?”
Despite his openness about the reversal of rights under Trump, Biden spoke hopefully about the future, touting openly trans Rep. Sarah McBride, who worked with his son Beau when he was Delaware Attorney General, and reiterating the need to continue working towards justice.
“We are one of the only countries in the world that time and again has come out stronger than we went in,” he said. “I believe we are averse from any crisis caused by this administration. We’ll always come out stronger, wiser, more resilient and more confident so long as you keep the faith, summon hope, and act with courage.”
At the end of his 20-minute speech, Biden closed with a challenge to the audience.
“There’s gotta be at least one President in this room other than me coming up, OK? Keep it going, folks.”
Philadelphia Gay News courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media.
