Joe Biden urges LGBTQ advocates to fight back against Trump’s ‘distortion’ of equality

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Joe Biden returned to Washington to address a gathering of LGBTQ+ donors, activists, and candidates.

In an event hosted by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, he accepted a lifetime achievement award and called for renewed efforts to defend equality.

He warned that President Trump and his allies are trying to distort the fight for civil rights.

Joe Biden’s message of equality under threat

Joe Biden told the assembled crowd, “Folks, Donald Trump and his Republicans are trying to derail and distort our fight for equality. They’re trying to turn it into something scary, something sinister.” 

He stressed now is the time to "GET UP! Get up and FIGHT BACK!', Continue to fight! What's the fight all about?! It's about protecting the Constitution!"

Biden emphasized that equality is uniquely American, repeating “There is nothing more American than the notion of equality. Nothing, nothing, nothing.”

He recalled his past support for same-sex marriage, noting that he backed it in 2012, before many others joking, “I got myself in a bit of trouble. But good trouble,” 

As president, he signed the repeal of the 'Defense of Marriage Act' via the 'Respect for Marriage Act'.

Reflecting on the progress made and the victory, he praised the “Finally, through the hard work, faith, counsel, sheer grit from folks like you in this room and so many who came before you … the momentous battle was finally won, Finally, finally, finally."

But Biden also acknowledged the challenges ahead. He said that within less than a year, the Trump administration had introduced a range of anti-trans policies and cut funding for programs serving LGBTQ communities.

He added that the US government, for the first time in 37 years, skipped commemorating World AIDS Day. 

Addressing the crowd, he said, “The challenges ahead can feel daunting, particularly in the face of everything we’ve seen coming out of this reactionary White House.”

Joe Biden’s donor outreach

Since leaving the White House in January, he had maintained a relatively low profile.

Biden has long had a complicated relationship with major donors. That helps explain why he spent part of his Friday with the wealthy supporters who fund and train LGBTQ candidates through Victory.

But on Friday, he accepted an award, addressed donors, and signaled his intention to more actively engage, including with a holiday party this month hosted by top fundraiser Liz Bagley to begin raising funds for a potential presidential library.

Biden’s office revealed in May that the former President was diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer.

In October, aides reported that he had finished a course of radiation treatment, and he has also undergone removal of skin cancer spots from his hands.

Beyond legacy and fundraising, Biden and his team seem focused on polishing his public image.

He ended with a note of optimism despite recent setbacks, he said America remains “one of the only countries in the world that time and again has come out of every crisis stronger than we entered into that crisis.”