Joe Biden is often credited as the person who brought the Obama White House to change its position and support gay marriage. He has been an ally for a long time and takes it very seriously.
As President, Joe Biden has made LGBTQIA+ rights a major priority. For example, as the Washington Post reported in January 2021:
Biden calls for LGBTQ protections in Day 1 executive order
On his first day in office, President Biden issued a sweeping executive order making it clear that gay and transgender people are protected against discrimination in schools, health care, the workplace and other realms of American life.
Biden’s order calls on agencies across the federal government to review existing regulations and policies that prohibit sex discrimination, and to revise them as necessary to clarify that “sex” includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports,” Biden’s executive order states.
“Adults should be able to earn a living and pursue a vocation,” it continues, “knowing that they will not be fired, demoted, or mistreated because of whom they go home to or because how they dress does not conform to sex-based stereotypes. People should be able to access healthcare and secure a roof over their heads without being subjected to sex discrimination.”
The executive order set the stage for an administration that has pledged to pursue a “bold” agenda on LGBTQ issues and that has already named LGBTQ leaders to prominent positions in the administration.
And the Post added this, just a few months later:
‘Pride is back at the White House’: Biden commemorates LGBTQ Pride Month
President Biden on Friday commemorated LGBTQ+ Pride Month, signing legislation designating the National Pulse Memorial and urging passage of the Equality Act. “Pride Month represents so much,” Biden said at a White House gathering. “It stands for courage. . . . And above all, Pride Month stands for love.”
A giant step forward was made in December 2022, as discussed by the Human Rights Campaign:
Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act
With President Biden’s signature, the Respect for Marriage Act becomes the biggest legislative win in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in over a decade, guaranteeing federal rights, benefits and obligations of marriages in the federal code for same-sex couples. The legislation also repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and affirmed that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states.
And just this year, the Post spotlighted a new advance.
In major victory for equality, HHS finalizes rule reversing Trump-era “License to Discriminate” regulation
The Biden-Harris Administration announced its final rule to revise a Trump-era policy that dismantled meaningful protections for beneficiaries of federally funded health care programs. The Trump policy also stripped away basic notice requirements designed to ensure that beneficiaries know their rights to be free from discrimination and their right to an alternative, non-religious provider. In a major win for equality, the new rule restores those protections and requirements.
These are only a few steps forward among many.
Is there still more work to be done? 100%! Lots more work. But Biden has done so much more than many people guessed could be done. He deserves a lot of credit. AND he deserves to be re-elected.
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This is an entry in my ongoing series Boosting Biden.
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These posts are written by Goodnewsroundup (Goodie),
edited by Matilda Briggs, supported by 2thanks and WolverineForTJatAW,
and reinforced by several notable Kossacks!
As with all good things, it takes a village.
