President Joe Biden gave his first State of the Union address last night. Within it, he reminded people he’s on the side of trans people and the LGBTQ community.
Biden talked about attacks on the Roe vs. Wade abortion ruling and about defending women’s access to health care. He then moved on to the Equality Act.
“For our L.G.B.T.Q.+ Americans, let’s finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk. The onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans and their families is simply wrong.
“I’ve said last year, especially to our younger transgender Americans, I’ll always have your back as your president, so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.”
To the LGBTQ+ community, and especially trans kids: know President Biden will fight for you. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/d8GwhIJMX8
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 2, 2022
Related: Trump spokesperson says there’s ‘no need’ for Biden’s SOTU. Her reason is nutty as a fruitcake.
Although passed by the House, the Equality Act has stalled in its progress to the Senate.
Several states have been discussing introducing anti-trans legislation, including barring trans people from competing in sports and restrooms that align with their gender identity.
Late last month, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott signed legislation that equated trans-affirming healthcare for minors as “a form of child abuse.” This includes the use of puberty blockers.
Lawmakers in Alabama are pursuing a similar bill.
Yesterday, the ACLU and Lambda Legal launched legal action to challenge the new Texas law. In documents, it says that one woman who worked at the Texas family services department and who has a teenage trans daughter, was last week placed on leave while she is investigated under the terms of the new legislation.
“Gender-affirming care for the treatment of gender dysphoria is medically necessary care, full stop,” said Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Paul Castillo, in a statement. “Criminalizing that care and threatening to tear children from their families is unconscionable and terrifying, and cannot stand.”
Related: Dr. Jill Biden hires a gay decorator to revamp the East Wing because she’s classy like that
Biden’s comments were welcomed by many, although some said they wanted to see more action over words.
Thank you to Pres. Biden and team for making it clear that trans rights are non-negotiable. That one line just saved many lives. #SOTU
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 2, 2022
Joe Biden mentioning support for trans kids might not be the most important thing ever spoken in a State of the Union address but it’s most likely the bravest.
— Ethan Dam🏀n (@ethan_damon) March 2, 2022
Honestly, Biden’s simple acknowledgment that transgender people are under assault around the country, that this is wrong, and that trans people deserve to live fully as themselves to fulfill their “God-given potential” could legit save peoples’ lives. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
— Erica Chenoweth (@EricaChenoweth) March 2, 2022
Honestly I’ll give biden shit all day long
But I got to just say to the kid “take off your headphones the president just said he’s with trans folks” and that’s a memory she’ll take with her for her whole life
— Linda Tirado (@KillerMartinis) March 2, 2022
Last night, Biden committed to supporting the rights of trans Americans – and trans young people in particular. These are important words, but he needs to back them up with severe actions, right now.
— Louis Hindle (@louis_hindle) March 2, 2022
President Biden just announced his support for the Trans Community and I can’t stop crying.
We needed this. #SOTU
— RazzLi (@razzli_) March 2, 2022
Biden is talking about attacks on trans people and fighting for young trans people.
This means a lot.
But we don’t just need words of support. We need action.
— Sophie Kozub (@Ko_zub) March 2, 2022
white-queer-african
Bravo. Bravo. Bravo.
Polaro
The president carefully and directly made his support clear for all Americans, including transgender people. Its why I like the guy and continue to support him fully. There is a lot of work to be done in this area and some of it is far more complicated that either the left or the right acknowledge. The easy part is to acknowledge trans people exist, no more or less than any other American, deserving the protection of law, and respect.
The difficult part is in accepting that no set of rules or laws can fully and fairly address the many nuances surrounding this issue. I do not believe the right has got this right and is being mean-spirited with these laws. That said, I do not believe the left has got this right either, with their insistence that there are no ramifications to some of their demands.
I expect people to be mean-spirited in their response to this. I won’t be reading your nastiness – that is on you. So there is that.
Cam
And Republican and right wing Supreme Court justices heads explode.
Good for Biden!
jt1990
Actually my head is still intact Cam! Sorry to disappoint you
Cam
@jt1990
LOL!!! You tried on other threads to prove this screename wasn’t one of your right wing troll screeames and then you go and mess that up by admitting it right here.
LOL! I mean, your troll game is sad and weak, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t funny!
MarcyMayer
The Democrats control the House and Senate until at least January 1, 2023. Therefore, if they REALLY want to pass pro-LGBTQ+ and pro-choice legislation, they can. So. let’s see them back up their words with REAL action. Actions count more than words.
Mack
Not really. You have two who can’t decide what they are and until they’re gone or the Democrats get a larger margin nothing is going to happen good.
Cam
Oh look, @SamB (post below) brought on one of his other screenames, but forgot to space out the time between postings so both names posted minutes after each other.
It’s odd, you think you’re subtle, but when you try to play that game, your trolling is even more glaring.
SamB
A trans person should be playing on a trans team or else they’d have a significant advantage or significant disadvantage. How is that “phobic”?
Cam
Oh look, the right wing troll account has to try to deflect the topic off of civil rights onto the idiotic issue that Republicans have been desperately pushing.
Your trolling is sad and weak.
Mack
Your comment is no surprise, hell even expected from a troll.
jt1990
Read about the female boxer who fought a male who transed (or whatever you call it) into a female. Said it was nothing like any other fights; she felt completely overpowered and was badly injured. I forget the name, but search the web and you will find the story (if it hasn’t been taken down).
If trans persons want to play sports, letting them play each other is actually a great idea. Since psychiatric care doesn’t seem to help…
white-queer-african
TrolleyDolly is my new screenname! NOT.
SamB et al FO.
Cam
@jt1990
If @SamB’s comment is valid, then why did you have to switch over to this screename to make it look like it was getting support from somebody else?
Your troll game is sad and weak.
johncp56
that took balls of steel it is about time we are taking care of everyone, wow Texas is really really brain dead, they can not even get the power grid together, they just want to punish people and own women’s rights, let’s take away handicap parking and ramps from their Gov of death, whats his name ?? shameless creeps
MacMorrighan
Because, who needs things like student debt relief, Medicare for All and a living wage when you have Identity Politics to exploit! Capitalism exploits all people, including our Trans brothers and sisters!
inbama
The Global Gender Reassignment Surgery Market is expected to grow by $ 209 million by 2025.
jt1990
Old Joe sure has come a long way since the days of referring to black men as “super predators.” Or just forgotten who he is, quite literally!
white-queer-african
@jt1990, very lame indeed. Then again not much to be expected from a airhead right-wing nut job! et al et al the various screennames being used by one airhead. SamB….
Cam
Translation:
The right wing troll account is enraged that a politician is not attacking LGBTQ people like Trump did.
inbama
Everybody is capable of learning new things. That said, some reporter should test the sincerity of his belief and ask that if Jill died, would he date a woman with a penis?
jt1990
inbama that would be hilarious, but unfortunately Biden can’t give any responses that aren’t on the notecard. Also I do believe Obama beat him to that. In fact Michelle’s was bigger than his I’ve heard