What Will a Biden Presidency Mean for LGBTQ+ Rights?
The whole world has watched in anticipation over the past few days as the US election has unfolded. It’s been anxiety-inducing, to say the least, with Trump falsely claiming victory within the first day, and many states turning from red to blue as the mail-in votes were tallied. However, it’s not over until all of the votes are counted. Whatever happens it’s likely to be excruciatingly close and no matter who wins we will still have work to do to push for LGBTQIA+ equality. While it’s difficult to deny that a continued Trump presidency could be catastrophic for LGBTQIA+ lives, what would a Biden presidency mean?
1) Biden has promised the Equality Act will be passed within the first 100 days of his presidency. This would protect American citizens from discrimination based on their sexuality or gender identity and be a landmark civil rights law. Biden made this promise public telling voters “I will make enactment of the Equality Act a top legislative priority during my first 100 days - a priority that Donald Trump opposes.”
2) He will undo the transphobic laws put in place by Trump, making life for transgender people safer. In stark contrast to Trump, Biden has been outspoken on his support for the transgender community. At a town hall in Philadelphia he vowed to “flat out change the law” to reverse the harmful transphobic laws instated by Trump.
3) Combat the epidemic of violence towards trans women. He has referred to this violence as an “epidemic that needs national leadership” and accused the Trump administration of fanning “the flames of transphobia.” He also commented that “These deaths don’t exist within a vacuum…Dehumanizing government actions and rhetoric, as well as a failure to address risk factors like domestic and intimate partner violence, underemployment and unemployment and poverty, housing insecurity and health disparities, put this community at risk.”
4) Provide support for LGBTQIA+ veterans. Biden has promised to support queer veterans and addressed the complicated issues they face, such as homelessness, trouble accessing healthcare and health risks.
5) An Increase in LGBTQIA+ representation. The Democratic party has made history with an unprecedented number of queer representatives on the ballots this year and Biden has promised to create an administration that “will look like our country.” He continued to vow that “Our federal agencies will be champions of equality and I’ll nominate and appoint federal officials and judges that represent the diversity of America, including LGBTQ+ individuals.”
Right now, we don’t know what’s going to happen, but if Biden does win, we need to make sure we hold him accountable to the promises he’s made and push this even further to protect LGBTQIA+ lives across America.
