America's LGBTQ community got a shout-out from Joe Biden when the president delivered his first State of the Union address on March 1.
"For our LGBTQ+ Americans, let's finally get the bipartisan Equality Act to my desk," Biden said. "The onslaught of state laws targeting Transgender Americans and their families is simply wrong. As I said last year, especially to our younger Transgender Americans, I'll always have your back as your president, so you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential."
The Equality Act was passed by the House on May 17, 2019, but is blocked in the Senate by the filibuster rule, which requires 60 senators to consent to bring a bill to the floor for debate. If passed by the Senate and signed by the president, the measure would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to explicitly protect sexual orientation and gender identity.
Biden referred to legislation pending in several states that limit the rights of Transgender people — as well as draconian Texas guidance from the attorney general there that equates gender-affirming medical treatments with child abuse. Lawmakers in Alabama are considering a similar law.
Several states have also considered barring Trans people from competing in sports and from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.
Biden's speech got immediate plaudits from the HRC. "To the LGBTQ+ community, and especially Trans kids: know President Biden will fight for you," the group tweeted.
The HRC was joined by many ordinary citizens and rank-and-file Trans activists.
"Thank you to Pres. Biden and team for making it clear that trans rights are non-negotiable. That one line just saved many lives," one tweeted.
"Joe Biden mentioning support for trans kids might not be the most important thing ever spoken in a State of the Union address but it's most likely the bravest," another said.
Heckled by Republicans
Biden's remarks on the LGBTQ community were met with applause from Democratic members of Congress, and silence from most of the Republican side.
QAnon Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, however, actively heckled the president when he spoke about Trans participation in sports. Greene — an outspoken anti-mask, anti-vaxx advocate — was also heard talking over Biden's remarks on the COVID pandemic.
Greene was joined by Republican Lauren Boebert in a "build the wall" chant when the president spoke about reforming immigration law.
Boebert also heckled the president as he was describing the death of his son, Beau, an Iraq War veteran who succumbed to brain cancer.
Biden outlined the severe medical symptoms that US troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan endured from breathing in toxic fumes from "burn pits," saying many of the troops developed "a cancer that would put them in a flag-draped coffin."
"You put them in. Thirteen of them," Boebert yelled. Observers believe she was referring to the terrorist attack at a gate outside the Kabul airport last summer that killed 13 US service members. The outburst drew immediate and bipartisan boos inside the chamber.