As I listened to Joe Biden’s victory speech, I was struck by a moment that felt monumental. “I’m proud of the campaign we built and ran, I’m proud of the coalition we put together—the broadest and most diverse coalition in history… gay, straight, transgender…” Did I actually hear the President-elect acknowledge the transgender community and express pride in us? Yes, I did. For the first time, a president mentioned transgender individuals in an address of such significance.
It shouldn’t be remarkable to feel recognized, yet it was, particularly after the past four years during which the previous administration did everything possible to erase our existence and rights. Donald Trump actively sought to diminish the legal recognition of queer individuals, especially those who are transgender. From the very day of his inauguration, he purged all references to LGBTQIA+ people from government websites. He prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the military and stripped away essential protections related to housing, healthcare, education, and employment for queer and transgender communities. In contrast, Biden appears ready to mend the wounds inflicted during that era.
Barack Obama was the first to mention gay voters in his 2008 campaign. Since then, politicians have often relied on safe platitudes like “love is love” and “love wins,” but there has been a noticeable lack of genuine support for our identities and the fluidity of gender. Biden is the first to directly acknowledge the transgender community in such a meaningful way.
In his speech, Biden further recognized the contributions of Latino, Asian, and Native American voters. While discussions about racial diversity are common in political campaigns, LGBTQIA+ topics are frequently avoided. This avoidance often stems from either bigotry or the fear of alienating certain voter bases. I understand the hesitation of many liberal politicians; there’s a limit to how much “diversity” some people are willing to embrace at once. The reality is, queer people and our lives are often only accepted in small, digestible portions. It’s a struggle to be viewed as fully human, possessing feelings and insights about our identities that surpass the understanding of those outside our experiences.
I find myself wishing for lawmakers who will actively champion the queer community by enacting stronger anti-discrimination laws. Yet, it often feels like the best we can hope for is politicians who won’t actively work against our rights. Is it too much to ask for the bare minimum: acknowledgment, while still being invisible enough to avoid making our lives more difficult?
Biden’s recognition of gay and transgender people evoked a whirlwind of emotions in me, as a parent to a transgender daughter. It filled me with hope, but also frustration that such relief came from an external source, reflecting the often turbulent existence of transgender individuals. Living with cognitive dissonance is a common experience for many of us.
As a nonbinary person, my identity is frequently up for debate, even as I stand firm in my truth. I understand that biological sex does not define gender and that gender is not a fixed concept. I know that I am neither female nor male, despite societal pressures to conform. My name, my body, and my clothing do not dictate my gender. Yet, I often feel the need to align with societal constructs just to navigate daily life, feeling like a stranger in my own skin.
Imagine living in a home where you’re perpetually ignored until it’s time for abuse. Or think of the joy of finally hearing your name called after feeling overlooked for so long. That’s how it felt when I heard “transgender” spoken respectfully on national television by the highest official in the land.
The trauma inflicted by the previous administration will take time to heal. Trump not only threatened my rights and those of my daughter but also empowered a narrative that undermined the legitimacy of transgender people. His administration promoted the idea that our identities were sinful choices deserving of rejection, and he did everything he could to make that a reality.
Biden is making strides to reverse this harmful legacy. I noticed that he frequently used the term “folks” instead of “ladies and gentlemen” to address the audience, which I hope signals an effort to be more inclusive of all genders. He recognizes that transgender people are valuable assets to society—we are intelligent, hardworking individuals deserving of representation. Appointing Shawn Skelly, a transgender veteran, to his team assessing the Department of Defense serves as both a rebuke to Trump and an apology to the transgender military personnel who faced mistreatment. While it’s not a complete solution, it is a step in the right direction.
Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect, has also shown her support for the queer community. She includes her pronouns in her social media bios, nominated an out Black lesbian for her chief of staff, and is actively learning about the issues faced by transgender individuals, particularly regarding access to gender-affirming care.
There are many injustices to correct, but this administration seems open to learning and making necessary changes. I anticipate that Biden and Harris will make mistakes as they work to protect queer individuals, but I am optimistic because they are surrounding themselves with people from the LGBTQIA+ community who will amplify our voices rather than speak over us. I look forward to more inclusive and affirming language over the next four years.
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In conclusion, the acknowledgment of transgender individuals by President Biden represents a shift towards inclusivity that many in the community have long awaited. It is a hopeful beginning, demonstrating a willingness to engage with and support the diverse identities that exist within our society.