Dr. Jill Biden Welcomes LGBTQ+ Community to White House Pride

The White House welcomed the LGBTQ+ community onto the south lawn to celebrate Pride with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and her daughter, Ashley. Both addressed the assembled guests on June 26, speaking of progress the country has made and where it still needs to go.

Ashley Biden opened the speech by thanking activists for LGBTQ+ rights, as they are the reason so many people are able to feel comfortable in their own skin. She then introduced Dr. Biden, describing her mother as someone who taught her to be herself and works tirelessly for everyone’s freedoms. Dr. Biden acknowledged some queer politicians in specific, including Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Colorado’s own governor, Jared Polis.

Dr. Biden highlighted several successes in making the United States a safer and more tolerant place, including legalizing same-gender marriage and repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell bill. She also wanted to address the smaller victories, things that required social change, not legislative, like queer folk feeling safe to be in public in their own skin, or to have one’s identity and pronouns respected in the workplace. She also took the chance to talk about what President Joe Biden has done for the LGBTQ+ community, such as allowing trans individuals to serve in the military.

However, Dr. Biden was aware of the full reality. “Even as we celebrate, we know that this community is under attack,” she says, referring to the ongoing battle in many states across the country over subjects like trans medical care and Don’t Say Gay legislation. In regards to those efforts to strip rights from LGBTQ+ Americans, Dr. Biden reminded the audience that Pride is not just a celebration, but a declaration, saying, “We will not be silenced.”

Despite those daily struggles, Dr. Biden emphasized the importance of staying positive and staying proud. She states, “But, today, we’re here to find joy, to feel at home, to be free.” Dr. Biden noted that there is still more to do, and not every part of America will be accommodating of the change. “When you leave here, to go back into a place that still needs so much change, take that with you. Let it be a reminder that you don’t face these battles alone.”

Photo courtesy of Jill Biden on Twitter