In this week’s headlines: • For the first time in five years, the LGBTQ community not only received full-throated support from the man in the Oval Office, but President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris all issued video greetings to LGBTQ Americans for Pride Month • Congress votes to make Pulse Nightclub a national memorial • Gay men in the UK will have an easier time donating blood • A bakery in Texas experienced hideous homophobia for saying ‘Happy Pride’ and then the internet stepped in • Eli Lieb drops the perfect anthem for Pride Month ‘Boys Who Like Boys’ All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden In a special Pride Month message, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wish all of us a bright and happy Pride. The Bidens note that Pride represents many things: defiance in the face of injustice, courage to live our truth, and justice as in the Supreme Court ruling which made marriage equality the law of the land. But above all else – Pride stands for love. At the beginning of the month, the president issued the first proclamation acknowledging Pride Month in five years.
President Joe Biden (screen capture) President Joe Biden issued a statement today marking the 5th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, that left 49 dead. He included a call to action asking Congress to pass commonsense gun regulations like universal background checks. A recent Morning Consult poll showed 84% of Americans, including 77% of Republicans, support requiring all gun purchasers to go through a background check. Here is the full statement via WhiteHouse.gov:
“Five years ago today in Orlando in the middle of Pride Month, our nation suffered the deadliest attack affecting the LGBTQ+ community in American history, and at the time, the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman.
“Within minutes, the Pulse nightclub that had long been a place of acceptance and joy turned into a place of unspeakable pain and loss. Forty-nine people were there celebrating Latin night were murdered, even more injured, and countless others scarred forever – the victims were family members, partners and friends, veterans and students, young, Black, Asian and Latino – our fellow Americans.
“A few days later, I traveled with President Obama to pay respects to them and their families, to thank the brave first responders and the community who found strength and compassion in each other, and to pledge that what happened would not be forgotten.
“Over the years, I have stayed in touch with families of the victims and with the survivors who have turned their pain into purpose, and who remind us that we must do more than remember victims of gun violence and all of the survivors, family members, and friends left behind; we must act.
“In the coming days, I will sign a bill designating Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial, enshrining in law what has been true since that terrible day five years ago: Pulse Nightclub is hallowed ground.
“But there is more we must do to address the public health epidemic of gun violence in all of its forms – mass shootings and daily acts of gun violence that don’t make national headlines.
“It is long past time we close the loopholes that allow gun buyers to bypass background checks in this country, and the Senate should start by passing the three House-passed bills which would do exactly that. It is long past time we ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, establish extreme risk protection orders, also known as “red flag” laws, and eliminate gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability.
“We must also acknowledge gun violence’s particular impact on LGBTQ+ communities across our nation. We must drive out hate and inequities that contribute to the epidemic of violence and murder against transgender women – especially transgender women of color. We must create a world in which our LGBTQ+ young people are loved, accepted, and feel safe in living their truth. And the Senate must swiftly pass the Equality Act, legislation that will ensure LGBTQ+ Americans finally have equal protection under law.
“In the memory of all of those lost at the Pulse nightclub five years ago, let us continue the work to be a nation at our best – one that recognizes and protects the dignity and safety of every American.”
L-R Donald Trump, President Joe Biden As Joe Biden takes his first trip abroad as president, he has told the world “America is back.” And according to a new global survey by Pew Research Center, the world agrees. From the Washington Post:
Trust in the U.S. president fell to historic lows in most countries surveyed during Donald Trump’s presidency, according to Pew.
Under Biden, it has soared. In the 12 countries surveyed both this year and last, a median of 75 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Biden to “do the right thing regarding world affairs,” Pew found, compared with 17 percent for Trump last year. Sixty-two percent of respondents now have a favorable view of the United States vs. 34 percent at the end of Trump’s presidency.
“The election of Joe Biden as president has led to a dramatic shift in America’s international image,” the Pew report reads.
Additionally, the survey shows the favorability rating for the U.S. grew 23 percentage points from last year in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
President Joe Biden (image – public domain) President Joe Biden issued a presidential proclamation today recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. From WhiteHouse.gov:
The uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June, 1969, sparked a liberation movement — a call to action that continues to inspire us to live up to our Nation’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality.
Pride is both a jubilant communal celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity. This Pride Month, we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.
The LGBTQ+ community in America has achieved remarkable progress since Stonewall. Historic Supreme Court rulings in recent years have struck down regressive laws, affirmed the right to marriage equality, and secured workplace protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in every State and Territory.
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act broadened the definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. Members of the LGBTQ+ community now serve in nearly every level of public office — in city halls and State capitals, Governors’ mansions and the halls of the Congress, and throughout my Administration.
Nearly 14 percent of my 1,500 agency appointees identify as LGBTQ+, and I am particularly honored by the service of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the Cabinet, and Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate.
Biden goes on to note the many policies from the Trump administration he’s reversed since taking office in January. Among those are charging Federal agencies to fully enforce all Federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, and ending Trump’s transgender military ban. The president also urges Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would extend existing federal civil rights laws to LGBTQ people. And he calls on everyone in the country to “recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high.” Read the full presidential proclamation here. You’ll recall Trump never issued a proclamation for Pride Month during his time in the White House.
Proclamation: NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month.
In his presidential proclamation, Biden called on Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in many areas of life.https://t.co/takUKRHTjf via @JoYurcaba
(photo: public domain/White House) A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey shows President Joe Biden with garnering strong support. From AP News:
In the fourth month of his presidency, Biden’s overall approval rating sits at 63%.
When it comes to the new Democratic president’s handling of the pandemic, 71% of Americans approve, including 47% of Republicans.
Additionally, 54% say the country is on the right track, more than any AP/NORC polls since 2017. Forty-four percent say the country is on the wrong track. Broken down along party lines, Democratic voters approve of Biden by 96%, while his approval rating is 63% among independents. Not surprising in this deepening partisan divide, just 23% of GOP voters approve of Biden’s job performance. It goes without saying that the ‘former guy’ never got close to numbers like these.
In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Joe Biden spoke to several issues as well as his proposed American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. Along the way, the president took time to call for the passage of the Equality Act: “I also hope Congress can get to my desk the Equality Act to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans.” He added a special message to transgender folks: “To all the transgender Americans watching at home — especially the young people who are so brave — I want you to know that your president has your back.”
President Biden urges Congress to send the Equality Act to his desk “to protect LGBTQ Americans. “To all transgender Americans watching at home, especially young people, I want you to know your President has your back.” pic.twitter.com/NUA1fG00Vk
The Equality Act would add legal protections for LGBTQ Americans to existing federal civil rights laws. The legislation has already passed in the House, but faces a steep climb in the Senate where Democrats will need 10 Republicans to join them in passing the bill. A CBS News poll following Biden’s address showed 85% of Americans who watched approved of his speech, 15% disapproved. And 78% say the speech made them feel “optimistic” about America. As an example of how partisan politics have become, of those who watched Biden’s address, 54% identified as Democrats, 18% as Republican and 25% as independent, according to CBS News. So, basically, Republicans didn’t tune in to watch. By comparison, 76% of the audience (that leaned Republican) approved of Trump’s speech in 2017.
President Joe Biden (image via White House/public domain) President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening will be noteworthy on several fronts. Biden is reportedly going to present his $1.8 trillion package to Congress since taking office asking for new spending to expand the American education system, provide more help for childcare and create millions more jobs. First, the joint address is not a State of the Union speech, although at first glance it will appear very similar. The president will be announced, he’ll walk down the aisle of the House chamber to applause, all that. But due to COVID restraints, the number of attendees – usually all members of Congress plus guests – will be limited to 200. Many House representatives won’t be there anyway because the annual GOP retreat is taking place this week. Still, some GOP House members aren’t happy about being left off the invitation list. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) says she plans on attending anyway. “I’ve requested an invitation and I haven’t heard back,” Boebert said last week. “I’m showing up.” While the Senate is in session, only 58 invitations were made available to senators equally divided by party. Easily the biggest difference for those watching will be visual as for the first time two women – Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – will be seated in the two chairs behind him. It’s the first time the top two officials in the line of presidential succession are both women. Another first – the livestream of Biden’s address will feature American Sign Language interpretation for accessibility.
Graphic: NBC News/Meet The Press These word cloud images were included in this morning’s Axios AM email. The images are the result of new polling by NBC News and Hart Research. Interesting to see how different folks see Joe Biden… Graphic: NBC News/Meet The Press
President Joe Biden at the White House (photo: Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain) A new Washington Post/ABC news poll shows 52% of Americans approve of the job President Joe Biden has done in first 100 days compared with 42% who disapprove. From the Washington Post:
Biden receives the highest marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with 64 percent of adults — including 33 percent of Republicans — giving him positive ratings.
His approval rating for his handling of the economy stands at 52 percent.
But 53 percent say they disapprove of the way he has dealt with the immigration situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, a problem that has vexed his administration for much of its first months.
The Post notes that four years ago, at this point in Donald Trump’s time in office, the numbers were actually flipped with the Donald’s overall approval at 42% and disapproval score at 53%.
While that’s markedly better than Trump, and in positive territory, ABC News notes that, due to intense partisanship, Biden’s approval is the 3rd lowest of any president at the 100 day mark since Truman.
In this week’s headlines: • For the first time in five years, the LGBTQ community not only received full-throated support from the man in the Oval Office, but President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris all issued video greetings to LGBTQ Americans for Pride Month • Congress votes to make Pulse Nightclub a national memorial • Gay men in the UK will have an easier time donating blood • A bakery in Texas experienced hideous homophobia for saying ‘Happy Pride’ and then the internet stepped in • Eli Lieb drops the perfect anthem for Pride Month ‘Boys Who Like Boys’ All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report 
