Biden Condemns Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation In National Coming Out Day Message
In a statement released on Monday, President Joe Biden recognised and praised the courage of LGBTQIA+ people for National Coming Out Day, reports The Independent. Biden also condemned and criticised parts of the US that have introduced anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in recent months.
Biden Says LGBTQIA+ People Are “Loved And Accepted”
“Today and every day, I want every member of the LGBTQ+ community to know that you are loved and accepted just the way you are – regardless of whether or not you’ve come out,” Biden said in his official statement. Biden leads one of the most inclusive administrations, with a number of LGBTQIA+ politicians serving alongside him and an historic number of LGBTQIA+ people being elected to office in 2020.
Biden’s statement continues, condemning the swathe of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, particularly against trans people, that have been introduced across the nation this year. He said, “despite the extraordinary progress our nation has made, our work to ensure the full promise of equality is not yet done. Anti-LGBTQ+ bills still proliferate in state legislatures. Bullying and harassment – particularly of young transgender Americans and LGBTQ+ people of colour – still abounds, diminishing our national character.”
“You Have A Community And A Nation To Welcome You”
Biden’s statement closes with supportive words to LGBTQIA+ people who may not have come out yet, saying, “To LGBTQ+ people across the country, and especially those who are contemplating coming out: know that you are loved for who you are, you are admired for your courage, and you will have a community — and a nation — to welcome you.”
National Coming Out Day is an annual awareness day observed on 11 October in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities in ‘coming out of the closet’ and living life openly. First celebrated in 1988, the day commemorates the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
2021 has seen a number of high profile LGBTQIA+ people come out across all areas of the identity spectrum; most notably Carl Nassib, the first openly gay NFL player, and Luke Prokop, the NHL’s first openly gay player.
