Biden Addresses Equality Act, Anti-LGBTQ Bills in SOTU Speech; Activists Respond

The State of the Union speech Tuesday was jam-packed with numerous issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the continued management of the COVID-19 pandemic, but President Biden also addressed anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans legislation, taking time to call for the Equality Act’s passing.

Activists have pushed to pass the protective bill for some time, but it’s stalled in Congress since the House passed it in March 2020. Biden previously pledged to sign the legislation in his first 100 days in office, but it’s sat in the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass among current lawmakers. The act would add discrimination protections for LGBTQ folks nationwide in employment, housing, education, healthcare and more.

Biden explicitly named the act, saying, for all LGBTQ Americans, it’s time to “finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk.” He added a statement disapproval for the wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping states across the country, which would be federally mended by the Equality Act.

“The onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans and their families is wrong,” Biden says. “As I said last year, especially to our younger transgender Americans, I will always have your back as your president, so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential.”

The Human Rights Campaign posted a response to Biden’s call to action Tuesday night. Interim HRC President Joni Madison released the following statement:

“The Human Rights Campaign applauds President Biden for renewing his commitment to getting the Equality Act passed and enacted into law. With LGBTQ+ people lacking basic freedoms and protections in many states across the country, the Equality Act will finally ensure comprehensive, federal protections that make it clear that everyone deserves the opportunity to live free from harassment and discrimination—no matter where you live.

The statement adds that Biden’s call for action “couldn’t come at a more urgent moment as state legislatures across the country are increasingly advancing discriminatory measures that seek to take us backward as a nation, shamelessly attacking transgender youth,” applauding Biden’s commitment and support to trans youth.

“The president’s message tonight is one that must be amplified across the country, especially amongst young transgender people,” Madison says in the statement.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis also responded via Twitter, praising Biden for sharing “a bold and unequivocal message of support for transgender people and all LGBTQ Americans,” specifically referencing Texas legislators’ attempts to align gender-affirming healthcare for minors with child abuse.

Though, others were less congratulatory and say that Biden needs to do more than just vocalize his support.

Actress and trans rights advocate Angelica Ross spoke during an annual Logo speech called “The LGBTQ+ State of the Union,” saying she would not praise the administration for “doing the bare minimum,” instead calling for an “honest and intersectional” conversation in regard to some of America’s most vulnerable affected by these bills.

“We are all living through a moment of unprecedented loss, financial hardship and sociopolitical discord,” Ross says. “We know these issues disproportionately impact the most marginalized among us, so we need our leaders to be doing more to protect our LGBTQ+ community—but most particularly our Black trans sisters and siblings.”

Ross also challenged Biden to move beyond just expressing solidarity with trans kids.

“You say trans youth are brave, and claimed to have their backs, and your administration has not done enough to sufficiently protect them,” Ross says. “Talk is cheap. We need you to act.”

Photo courtesy of President Joe Biden on Instagram