President Biden signs historic executive order to protect LGBTQ+ people

Biden signs executive order to fight anti-LGBTQ state bills

Today (June 15), POTUS Joe Biden issued a historic Executive Order aimed at addressing discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans.

The bill aims to strengthen protections for LGBTQ people as numerous Republican-run states across the country action a raft of anti-LGBTQ measures.

“My message to all the young people: Just be you,” Biden said at a Pride Month Reception at the White House. “I want you to know that, as your president, all of us on this stage have your back.”

“We’re in a battle for the soul of the nation,” the president said to the group of LGBTQ activists and Democratic lawmakers in attendance at the ceremony. “And when I look around this room here and at all of you here today, it’s a battle I know we will win.”

The President was introduced by 18-year-old Floridian Javier Gomez, who helped organize statewide student walkouts over over the Parental Rights in Education law (dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill) signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in March.

Tune in as we host a Pride Month Reception at the White House.
https://t.co/8pRrnp4967

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 15, 2022

The move comes after a sizable wave of anti-LTBTQ bills – 24 in 13 states, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – have been signed into law, aiming to limit access to gender affirming care for transgender youth, prohibit trans girls and women from competing on girls’ sports teams in school, and bar the instruction of LGBTQ issues in school.

Added to that, a record number of more than 320 anti-LGBT bills have been proposed across US states in 2022.

Biden’s new order will direct federal health and education agencies to expand access to gender affirming care, tackle LGBTQ+ homelessness, and advance LGBTQ-inclusive learning environments at American schools.

It also aims do tackle the horrific practice of conversion therapy, widely acknowledged as an unethical and dangerous practice for those subjected to it, by having officials work to ensure no federal funds are used to offer the practice and ensure survivors of conversion therapy are offered more support. 

“My order will use the full force of the federal government to prevent inhumane practices of conversion therapy,” Biden said.

“My order will use the full force of the federal government to prevent inhumane practices of conversion therapy.”

At a Pride Month event at the White House, Pres. Biden signed several executive actions to address discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ adults and kids. pic.twitter.com/aLVNHPpE2a

— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 15, 2022

Canada’s ban on conversion therapy went into effect in January, while in the UK the archaic practice is currently being debated in parliament after Prime Minister Boris Johnson backtracked on a long-promised ban covering all LGBTQ+ people. Johnson faced heavy backlash after U-turning on a decision to ban conversion therapy for all, then deciding to move forward with a ban that excludes trans and gender nonconforming people.

“President Biden always stands up to bullies and that’s what these extreme MAGA laws and policies do. They bully kids,” a senior administration official told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday (June 15).

“Hateful, discriminatory laws that target children are out of line with where the American people are, and president Biden is going to use his executive authority to protect kids and families.”

For more details on the new bill and what it will entail, read the Government FACT SHEET: President Biden to Sign Historic Executive Order Advancing LGBTQI+ Equality During Pride Month.

Pres. Biden at WH Pride Month event: “I don’t have to tell you about the ultra-MAGA agenda attacking families and our freedoms…In Florida, going after Mickey Mouse for God’s sake.” pic.twitter.com/h6JVbDq8aj

— ABC News (@ABC) June 15, 2022