Joe Biden at Stonewall’s 55th anniversary: The LGBTQ+ community ‘set an example for the world’

Author: Christopher Wiggins

As New York City gears up for this weekend’s Pride Month festivities, the LGBTQ+ community was top-of-mind for the President Joe Biden as he visited Stonewall on Friday. via CNN Newsource Live stream

Elton John, the legendary singer and passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, made an appearance at the event. “Thank you for celebrating our place as equal and valued members of society,” John said. He also addressed the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. “Over 540 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures across America this year. Discrimination and criminalization threaten the lives of our LGBTQ+ family. But today, we celebrate progress and commit to fighting on.”

In a moment that showcased his fiery passion, John declared, “Do we stand up for our vision and our values or let misinformation and senseless scapegoating turn back the clock? No fucking way.”

Standing behind him onstage, Biden laughed and jokingly crossed himself as the crowd cheered.

Last year, Vice PresidentKamala Harris visited the Stonewall Inn, making herthe first sitting vice president to do so. Harris’s visit highlighted the administration’s continued focus on LGBTQ+ rights and the significance of the Stonewall site.

Last week, DemocraticNew York U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres, Dan Goldman, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrandintroduced resolutions to designate June 28 as Stonewall Day, honoring the 1969 uprising. “The Stonewall Inn protests were a pivotal moment for the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement,” Gillibrand said.

The Stonewall National Monument, designated by PresidentBarack Obama in 2016, is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history. The new visitor center will provide educational resources and historical context to the millions who visit the site each year, ensuring that the legacy of the Stonewall uprising remains a pivotal chapter in American history.

Following the opening ceremony, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will attend the 25th annual LGBTQ+ Leadership Council Gala, a significant fundraiser benefiting the Biden Victory Fund. The gala, which will be held in New York City, is essential for supporting political initiatives and campaigns that advocate for equality and inclusion. Last year, Harris made headlines with her surprise visit to the historic Stonewall Inn before attending the same gala.

“LGBTQ+ people are some of the most inspiring people I know. Your courage and contributions enrich every part of American life,” President Biden said during his speech, adding, “You set an example for the entire world.”

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Christopher Wiggins