On the eve of National Coming Out Day, three of the nation’s foremost LGBTQ+ organizations—the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) Action Fund, and Equality PAC—united to endorse President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. This joint endorsement underscores their belief in President Biden’s unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights and marks a critical moment as 2024 Republican presidential candidates make LGBTQ+ issues a focal point of their campaigns.
Biden’s Strong Advocacy for Transgender Americans
Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, the NCTE Action Fund executive director, hailed the Biden Administration as the “strongest advocate for the needs of transgender Americans of any presidential administration in American history.” This endorsement reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of transgender individuals across the nation. It comes at a time when the transgender community faces mounting challenges from extremist politicians and right-wing allies, who are working relentlessly to undermine their rights.
Kelley Robinson, President of HRC, pointed to President Biden’s transformative actions, including signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, thereby codifying same-sex marriage rights, and appointing a record number of openly LGBTQ+ individuals to judgeships. These accomplishments have solidified the President’s reputation as a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
2024 Presidential Race Spotlights LGBTQ+ Issues
The joint endorsement takes place against the backdrop of 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls making restrictions on LGBTQ+ issues a central component of their campaign messages. At a recent Republican primary debate, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy falsely labeled transgenderism, especially in children, as a mental health disorder—a claim debunked by the medical community. Former Vice President Mike Pence vowed to pass a federal ban on transgender chemical or surgical procedures, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis garnered attention for his stance on issues such as limiting classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Addressing these developments, the LGBTQ+ organizations emphasized the critical importance of defending hard-fought freedoms and pushing back against attempts to weaponize LGBTQ+ identities for political purposes.
Mobilizing LGBTQ+ Voters Ahead of the Election
The endorsement also comes in the wake of an alert from the Department of Homeland Security regarding increased violent threats against LGBTQ+ Americans in the past year. In response, the HRC declared a “national state of emergency,” citing “tangible and dangerous” threats.
Both HRC and NCTE are gearing up to make a significant impact in the upcoming election. HRC is set to organize up to 62 million voters nationwide and will target voters in six battleground states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—leading up to the 2024 election. NCTE plans a national voter registration effort to ensure LGBTQ+ voices are heard.
However, the joint endorsement of President Biden’s reelection campaign by these prominent LGBTQ+ organizations underscores the President’s strong record on LGBTQ+ rights and the critical need to protect and advance these rights in the face of growing challenges. This endorsement arrives on the eve of National Coming Out Day, a time when LGBTQ+ individuals celebrate their identities and, with the support of allies and advocates, continue the journey toward full equality and inclusion.