“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…” Wait a moment. Did I just hear President-elect Joe Biden affirm the existence of transgender individuals and express pride in our community? Yes, I certainly did. He became the first president to include transgender people in his victory speech.
This recognition shouldn’t be significant, yet it is, particularly considering that during the last four years, the previous president’s mentions of the queer community often served to undermine our rights and protections. Donald Trump actively sought to erase the legal existence of queer individuals, especially transgender people. He initiated this erasure by stripping all references to LGBTQIA+ individuals from government websites on his first day in office and has since enacted policies banning transgender people from serving in the military while eliminating housing, healthcare, education, and employment protections for queer and transgender individuals. Biden appears prepared to halt this harmful trend.
Barack Obama was the first to mention gay voters in 2008. Since then, politicians have frequently resorted to the safe phrases “love is love” and “love wins,” yet seldom do they extend support for our identities and the fluidity of our genders and expressions. Biden stands out as the first to specifically mention the transgender community.
In his speech, Biden also expressed gratitude to Latino, Asian, and Native American voters for their support. While discussions of racial diversity are common in many campaigns, LGBTQIA+ issues often remain sidelined. This avoidance is typically a strategic choice, motivated by either prejudice or fear of alienating voters, rendering such politicians hypocritical and no longer true allies. However, I can understand why some liberal officials tread carefully; there’s only so much “diversity” some people can handle at once. For many, the existence of queer individuals and our “lifestyle” is only palatable in small doses. The idea that we are complex beings with feelings and insights into our identities is often dismissed.
I yearn for lawmakers and leaders who actively defend the queer community by enacting more anti-discrimination laws, but the best I can hope for is politicians who won’t actively work to strip away my rights. It seems almost acceptable to ask for the bare minimum: recognize us, but just enough to avoid worsening our lives.
When Biden acknowledged gay and transgender individuals in his speech, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions — hope that perhaps I could release some of the fear and anger that had taken root in me. I felt excitement, mixed with frustration that my relief came from an external source. This is often the reality for many transgender individuals; we navigate a constant state of cognitive dissonance.
As a nonbinary person, I find my existence continually debated, despite my firm understanding of my identity. I know that biological sex does not equate to gender. I understand that gender is fluid, and I know I am neither female nor male, even if society pushes me to conform to its constructs. I often feel the pressure to align with these societal norms just to navigate my day without feeling like I am lost in a body that doesn’t feel like mine. It’s disheartening to be made to feel like a stranger in my own reality.
Imagine living in a home where you are ignored until it’s time for abuse. Or think of the desperation one feels to be acknowledged, only to find joy in hearing your name called, surrounded by disbelief. That’s how it felt to hear “transgender” spoken respectfully on national television by the highest official in the land.
Healing from the trauma inflicted by the previous administration will take time. The former president not only challenged my and my daughter’s rights to live authentically, but he also encouraged a narrative that denies the reality of transgender people, particularly when it comes to religious beliefs. My existence was dismissed as a choice, forcing me to confront societal rejection.
Biden has made promising strides to reverse this trend. During his address, I noted how he predominantly used the term “folks” instead of the traditional “ladies and gentlemen,” which may have been a casual choice, but I hope it reflects an intention to be more inclusive. Biden acknowledges that transgender individuals are valuable contributors to society. He appointed Shawn Skelly, a transgender veteran, to his team to assess the Department of Defense, a significant gesture towards acknowledging and correcting the mistreatment of transgender military personnel.
Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect, is also demonstrating her support for the queer community. She includes her pronouns in her social media bios, nominated an openly Black lesbian as her chief of staff, and is addressing issues surrounding transgender inmates who often lack access to gender-affirming care.
There are many wrongs to right, but this administration appears willing to learn and make necessary corrections. I anticipate that Biden and Harris will stumble as they seek to protect queer individuals, but what gives me hope is their commitment to surrounding themselves with queer voices who will amplify our perspectives rather than speak over us. I look forward to seeing more inclusive and affirming language in the coming years.
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Summary:
The article shares a personal reflection from a trans parent about the significance of President Biden’s recognition of transgender individuals in his victory speech. It discusses the ongoing struggles faced by transgender people, particularly under the previous administration, and expresses hope for positive changes under Biden and Harris. The author emphasizes the need for inclusive language and policies and looks forward to a more supportive future for the queer community.
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