President Biden praised the LGBTQ community in remarks at Stonewall on Friday, the day after his presidential debate against former President Trump.
Friday marked 55 years since the start of the Stonewall Riots, which were demonstrations against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn and were widely considered the beginning of the gay rights movement in the US. Biden traveled to New York City to mark the anniversary and attend the opening of the new Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center at the end of Pride Month.
“This beloved bar has become the site of a call for freedom, dignity, equality and respect. Rebellion that galvanized the LGBTQ+ community across the country and, frankly, around the world,” Biden said.
He added that “the course of history changed forever” after the demonstrations. The new monument, located in Greenwich Village to mark the site of the 1969 riots, is open to the public, CBS reported.
“You marked a turning point for civil rights in America,” Biden said on the website. “To this day, Stonewall remains a symbol of the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans women of color who, for generations, have been at the forefront of helping realize the promise of America, for all Americans.”
Biden also received support from other Democrats on his visit to Stonewall.
During Thursday night’s debate, the president’s voice was hoarse and he lost his train of thought a few times, leading some Democrats to panic about his prospects in November. White House and Biden campaign officials on Friday sought to put to rest any notion that Biden will step aside or drop out of the race.
At the beginning of his Stonewall remarks, Biden approached New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on stage, and she jumped up to hug him. He then asked if Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (DN.Y.) was present, and she ran onto the stage to hug him.
“He’s the best! He’s a fighter!” Gillibrand shouted as she walked off the stage.
Biden ended his remarks by introducing legendary musician Elton John, an advocate for the LGBTQ community who owns a charity that works to protect people with AIDS.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
