How LGBTQ+ and Democratic leaders are reacting to Biden dropping out, endorsing Harris

Author: Trudy Ring,Christopher Wiggins

LGBTQ+ activists and Democratic leaders are reacting with sympathy and support to President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is withdrawing from the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, the first Afro-Latino LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress, also expressed his enthusiastic support for Harris, praising Biden’s decision as statesmanship. In a statement on X, Torres wrote, “President Joe Biden’s selfless decision to step aside for a new generation of leadership—Vice President Kamala Harris—is an act of Washingtonian statesmanship. President Biden leaves behind a transformative legacy that puts him in the pantheon of great presidents among the likes of FDR and LBJ.”National LGBTQ Task Force

Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, had this to say: “We are grateful for President Biden’s decades of service and allyship to LGBTQ communities – and for everything his administration has done to move our community forward. At this critical moment for our democracy and our freedoms, we have both hope and excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris and what she can do for our country. We fully expect a continued commitment to always putting our communities first. We now recommit to moving forward in the democratic process, the upcoming convention and the November elections. The Task Force action fund calls on LGBTQ+ people and our allies to take action and engage in the political process. Only through a show of voting power in the November 5 election will we begin building the democracy we deserve.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the first out gay man elected governor of any state, released this statement: “President Biden is a true partner to Colorado, and a proud patriot. Throughout his decades of service to this country, and especially during his service as Vice President to President Obama and over the last four years as President, he has helped lead the United States through many great successes. President Biden is now, and has always been, there for Coloradans during times of grief and moments of triumph. He has helped Colorado deliver more low-cost clean energy, address climate change, improve our roads and bridges with historic federal funding, and supported Colorado as we fought to preserve our public lands. This could not have been an easy decision but it is the right one, and Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do what’s right for our country and once again he has delivered. I know President Biden and Jill are making this choice with the future of Americans in their hearts. The United States cannot afford another potential four years of a disastrous Trump presidency that would trample on rights and freedoms, derail our economy, increase costs and harm our international standing. Coloradans and I are deeply grateful to President Biden for his incredible leadership and his unrelenting commitment to the country we all love.”

NY State Democratic Committee

The New York State Democratic Committee had this to say: “I admired Joe Biden when he was a United States Senator. I thought his selection as Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential pick was perfect for our country. I have admired Joe Biden’s decency, honesty, and his demonstrated courage in the face of the most difficult of personal adversities. Joe Biden has been one of our most successful and impactful Presidents — certainly one of the most productive in the past 60 years — and I have admired the job he has done under the most difficult of circumstances.

“I have never admired Joe Biden more than I do today. Voluntarily ceding the nomination and forgoing a chance to serve for another four years in the job that he did so well in and spent a lifetime dreaming of attaining, is as noble an act as ever recorded in America’s political history. Joe Biden’s selflessness; his putting country and party above his own personal desires, places him in the category of every great political leader since George Washington set the standard some 225 years ago.

“While the nation’s gratitude may be blurred by the politics of our current times, history will record and all will long remember Joe Biden not just for what he did as President, but for what he gave up, so that we may continue as that ‘shining city on a hill.’”

GLAAD

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tweeted, “Thank you, President Biden for your staunch support and work for LGBTQ Americans,” along with Biden’s statement on his withdrawal.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted, “President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”

This story is developing.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Trudy Ring,Christopher Wiggins