In a rare public address, former US President Joe Biden delivered a forceful condemnation of Republican political tactics, accusing them of turning transgender rights into a "political football". The speech was given at the 2025 International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington DC on Friday, where Biden accepted a lifetime achievement award for his advocacy.
A Call to Action Against the Trump Administration
Biden used the platform to issue a direct challenge to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in the face of Donald Trump's second term. He urged attendees to "get up and fight back" against what he described as a concerted effort to undermine equality.
"Folks, Donald Trump and his Republicans are trying to derail and distort our fight for equality," Biden stated. "They're trying to turn it into something scary, something sinister." He framed the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights as fundamentally American, asserting, "There is nothing more American than the notion of equality. Nothing, nothing, nothing."
From Defence of Marriage Act to a Champion of Equality
The former president acknowledged his own evolution on the issue, referencing his past support for the 1990s-era Defence of Marriage Act. He contrasted this with his role in advancing the Respect for Marriage Act as president, which mandates interstate recognition of same-sex marriages.
"I got myself in a bit of trouble – good trouble," Biden quipped, recalling his 2012 endorsement of same-sex unions as Vice President, which preceded President Barack Obama's public support.
Biden expressed particular concern for young people, stating, "There are young people sitting alone as I speak, scrolling through social media, wondering whether they will ever truly be accepted for who they are." He added a message of solidarity: "You are heard, and you belong."
A Rare Appearance Amid Health and Political Speculation
The conference marked a notable public appearance for the 83-year-old, who has kept a relatively low profile since ending his 2024 re-election campaign, a decision influenced by public concerns over his health and acuity.
During the speech, a momentary verbal stumble drew attention when Biden mispronounced "America" as "Amerigotit," before quickly correcting himself with, "That's who we are. We are the US." The incident is likely to fuel ongoing commentary about his fitness, which he has faced since a prostate cancer diagnosis in May.
Biden's core argument remained focused on the principle of dignity. "They have weaponized people's basic identity and turned it into a political football," he said of Republican strategies. "At its core, it's about giving every American an opportunity to be treated with the basic decency, dignity and respect they all deserve."
