President Joe Biden will host the largest White House Pride Month celebrationPresident Joe Biden had planned to host what was expected to be the largest White House Pride Month celebration in history today. But due to the clouds of smoke from Canada affecting large portions of the northeast, the event has been rescheduled for Saturday.
“Today’s Pride event on the White House South Lawn will be postponed until Saturday based on the projected air quality in the region,” the White House said in a statement.
The White House is not only hosting a historic Pride event today, but the Biden administration also announced new resources to support LGBTQ+ people across the country in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. #pridemonth2023 https://t.co/DwEaW11B4y
— The Advocate (@TheAdvocateMag) June 8, 2023
Thousands are expected to attend the celebration on the South Lawn of the White House. Biden, who has been a strong ally to the LGBTQ community, will host LGBTQ families for the event which is scheduled to include entertainment by pop artist Betty Who and Baltimore DJ Queen HD.
Also today, the White House unveiled several new initiatives aimed at bolstering the LGBTQ+ community.
The initiatives were announced at a press conference held today with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Biden told reporters the initiatives are aimed at protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing mental health and homelessness issues prevalent in the community, and countering book bans at state and local levels.
The president also took a not-so-veiled swipe at the haters pushing for new anti-LGBTQ+ laws calling the efforts “an appeal to fear” that is “totally, thoroughly unjustified, ugly” and “wrong.”
Speaking directly to queer Americans, Biden said, “LGBTQ Americans, especially children, you’re loved, you’re heard. And this administration has your back. And I mean it. We are not relenting one single second to make sure that they’re protected.”
In a proclamation designating June as Pride Month, Biden derided what he called the “hateful laws” targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
Happy Pride Month!
This month and every month, the Biden-Harris Administration stands proudly with the LGBTQI+ community in the enduring fight for freedom, justice, and equality. pic.twitter.com/rz2utWXzVX
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 1, 2023