GLAAD RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S INCLUSION OF LGBTQ AMERICANS IN THE STATE OF THE UNION

 GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union tonight, where he spoke up for diversity in America, in support of the Equality Act, and for transgender Americans.

President Biden urged fundamental fairness and warned of current “forces taking us back in time,” connecting LGBTQ equality to other struggles for fundamental freedoms including reproductive freedom, the freedom to vote and having every vote count, as well as racial equality, the freedom to read and to accurate history, and the freedom to live free from discrimination.

President Biden: “Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act! And stop denying another core value of America: our diversity across American life. Banning books. It’s wrong! Instead of erasing history, let’s make history!  I want to protect other fundamental rights! Pass the Equality Act, and my message to transgender Americans: I have your back!”

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded on Twitter and here:
“President Biden accurately included LGBTQ people in the greatness of American diversity and the fight for fundamental freedoms. The freedom of LGBTQ people to be ourselves, to live in peace and not be discriminated against, to read books about our lives, to have our votes and voices count, are connected to everyone’s freedoms. LGBTQ people and youth have faced an onslaught of harmful legislation and rhetoric that has had devastating and deadly consequences. The vast majority of Americans who support us must use their voices and votes against the increasingly isolated fringe few. When LGBTQ people and all on the margins are included in the conversation and welcome as we are, all of us have a better chance to be safe and to succeed.”

This is President Biden’s third State of the Union and in each one he has included LGBTQ people in his address (2022, 2023) and spoken up specifically for transgender people. He again urged Congress to pass the Equality Act, which provides comprehensive protections against discrimination for every LGBTQ American. The bill has twice passed in the House but stalled in the Senate led by Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Additional research:

• GLAAD released its 2024 LGBTQ Voter Poll showing that 94% of LGBTQ voters are highly motivated to vote; and majorities of all registered voters oppose candidates who target transgender people in their campaigns
• LGBTQ voters are eager to participate in the November 2024 election and are positioned to be a decisive voter bloc, much like they were in the 2020 Presidential election.
• 91% of non-LGBTQ Americans believe LGBTQ people should be able to live their lives and not be discriminated against: GLAAD’s 2023 Accelerating Acceptance Study
• GLAAD and the Center on Extremism documented at least 700 anti-LGBTQ incidents over the last year including murders, violence, harassment and vandalism
• ACLU is tracking nearly 500 legislative proposals in statehouses nationwide, targeting transgender youth health care, inclusive curriculum, school sports, access to the bathroom and accurate identity documents

GLAAD is monitoring the Biden Administration’s actions for LGBTQ Americans via the GLAAD Biden Accountability Tracker, documenting policy, personnel and statements.