Elton John slammed for teaming up with Joe Biden at inauguration of NYC's Stonewall Inn National Monument

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Joe Biden attended the grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York on Friday, June 28, marking the 55th anniversary of the riots that sparked the gay rights movement in America.

The 81-year-old president, recovering from a challenging performance in a presidential debate with Donald Trump on June 27, was accompanied by Governor Kathy Hochul and the iconic musician Elton John at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

The 1969 Stonewall riots marked a turning point for civil rights in America

In addition to inspiring millions of people worldwide, the 1969 Stonewall riots "marked a turning point for civil rights in America" and "remains a symbol of a legacy and leadership in the LGBTQ+ community," according to Biden.

In his statement, Elton John encouraged the community to persist in their struggle, as reported by the New York Post.

He said, “Fifty-five years ago, in this sacred spot of the Stonewall Uprising, gay activists stood strong and ignited a movement that has changed history for the better."

“As President Biden has reminded us today … do we stand up for our vision and our values, or let misinformation and senseless scapegoating turn back the clock? No f**king way,” the singer of 'Tiny Dancer,' aged 77, spoke to the sound of audience applause.

Earlier, Hochul welcomed Biden with the intention to "celebrate this moment in history."

“It was exactly two years ago we gathered here with this hope and a dream of being able to have a facility — the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center,” the governor said.

She added, “We talked about it, we fought for it, we made sure it would happen. And two years later, my friends, we have made the magic happen.”

Voters reflect on Biden's debate performance and future prospects

Ava Golden, a 23-year-old consultant from Manhattan and an admirer of Biden, attended the event partly to hear the president speak. While she acknowledged that the debate was concerning, she remained firm that it would not cost the incumbent her vote.

She said, “I don’t think his performance last night speaks for who he is as a candidate necessarily. We can’t have another four years of Trump so whatever deters that from happening I think will be good.”

Diana, a registered Democrat, expressed to The Post her deep concerns about the president's debate performance, casting doubt on her willingness to vote for him. Nevertheless, she found his more animated demeanor at the ceremony encouraging.

“Why couldn’t he do that yesterday? Why is he all animated now?” she questioned.

“It was hard to watch, I have to be honest,” she remarked on the debate, emphasizing her opposition to Trump's return to the White House.

“There were some questions that [should have been] his bread and butter. You should have been able to nail that,” she continued.

“We know his stance, but performance-wise we want a president that’s someone you have confidence in,” she remarked.

Stonewall Inn became a national monument in 2016

In 2016, former President Barack Obama declared the Stonewall Inn a national monument.

The newly opened visitor center, with a budget of $3.2 million, functions as both a museum and an educational facility, focused on showcasing the historical struggles faced by the LGBTQ community.

The opening of the center is strategically planned to align with the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969, and precedes the New York City Pride March scheduled for Sunday, June 30.

Over the years, Biden's stance on gay rights has evolved significantly.

As a US senator, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which allowed states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages and defined marriage in federal law as a union between a man and a woman.

Joe Biden once publicly supported gay marriage and increased LGBTQ rights

However, during his vice presidency under Obama in 2012, Biden surprised many by voicing his support for gay marriage on "Meet the Press," a stance that President Obama had not yet publicly endorsed at the time.

During his presidency, Biden expanded his support for LGBTQ rights by reinstating antidiscrimination policies that had been revoked by Trump and lifting the ban on transgender individuals serving in the US military.

The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, started when NYPD officers raided a gay club in Greenwich Village, forcibly ejecting both employees and patrons.

This aggressive act ignited six days of protests near the Christopher Street bar, marked by confrontations between demonstrators and police.

Elton John faces criticism on social media

As soon as the news surfaced the social media, users started criticizing Elton John. One wrote, "I’ve lost all respect for Elton John."

Another user added, "Isn't Elton John British? Why is he involved in US politics?"

A commentator wrote, "I like your music Elton but you are not an American citizen so you need to zip it. I don't but in your countries business so you stay out of ours."

"Wow so disappointed in Elton," a person said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.