Joe Biden makes LGBT pledge on National Coming Out Day

Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate, speaks before the launch of a campaign train tour at the Cleveland Amtrak station on in Cleveland, Ohio. Biden was starting a day-long train trip through Ohio and Pennsylvania after last night’s debate with President Donald Trump. (Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Joe Biden marked National Coming Out Day with a moving message of solidarity with the LGBT + community.

The Democratic presidential candidate took to Twitter to affirm his dedication to queer people across the United States, promising his White House would promote equality and fight discrimination.

“I want every member of the LGBTQ + community to know that you are loved and accepted for who you are – whether you are out or not,” Biden tweeted Sunday, October 11.

“I will fight every day in the White House to create a country where you can live open, proud and free – without fear.”

In the run-up to the November 3 election, Biden has doubled his support for LGBT + rights in recent weeks.

At a Human Rights Campaign Foundation presidential town hall in September, he again vowed to “fight with conviction” on behalf of the community.

“Together we will pass equality law, protect LGBTQ youth, expand access to health care, support LGBTQ workers, achieve full rights for transgender Americans, re-engage to end the epidemic of HIV / AIDS by 2025, advancing LGBT rights around the world, not just at home, ”Biden said.

Biden’s tone contrasts with that of his opponent Donald Trump – who, despite claiming to be the “most pro-LGBT + president” in history, has presided over some of the most devastating LGBT + rights cuts in recent years. last time.

According to GLAAD’s Trump Accountability Project, the current administration has launched more than 160 attacks against the LGBT + community in the past four years, including its ban on trans people serving in the military, eroding protection for trans health care and its plans to limit access to people living in single-sex homeless shelters.

A recent poll by the media watchdog found that out of 800 LGBT + Americans, 76% prefer Biden over Trump, and 81% say they are more motivated to vote in this election than in previous cycles.

In addition to National Coming Out Day, which celebrates both those who have proven themselves queer and those who cannot, Sunday also marked International Day of the Girl, which highlights the challenges facing women. girls and young women around the world.

Biden noted this dual observance, continuing on Twitter: “Today, let’s all celebrate the one billion girls and young women around the world – and re-commit to fighting for their education, their jobs, their health, their rights and their rights. opportunities.”

Trump did not commemorate either of the two occasions. Instead, his use of Twitter focused on repeating the denied claim that he had a 96% approval rating, and claiming that he was now “immune” to COVID-19, thus violating Twitter’s rules on “spreading misleading and potentially harmful information” to the virus.

Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed by Russell Henderson 22 years ago, on October 12, 1998. He was approached in a bar by two young people who asked him if he was gay before offering him a ride in the car that will prove to be true. a death trap.

On the sad anniversary of his assassination, the Democratic presidential candidate for the United States pledged to strengthen anti-LGBT hate crime laws with an online message on Twitter.

“Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard after a hate crime against gay men,” he said.

“More than two decades later, violence against LGBTQ + Americans is at an all time high. As President, I will strengthen our hate crime laws and make it clear that bigotry has no place in America.”

“I want every member of the LGBTQ + community to know that you are loved and accepted for who you are – whether you came out of the closet or not. I will fight every day in the White House to create a country where you can live. open, proud and free – fearlessly #NationalComingOutDay, ”he wrote in a Tweet.

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