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Many LGBTQ Democrats have joined the chorus of voices of support for President Joe Biden and focused on Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for the White House after the president announced he would not seek reelection.
Hours after Biden’s announcement on July 21, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ political organization, endorsed Harris’ campaign, praising her “more than 50 years of public service and longstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community.”
HRC President Kelly Robinson, who described Hillary Clinton as a “tough, formidable and experienced” candidate, argued that Americans who have already voted in this year’s Democratic primary have shown their support for the vice president by backing the Biden-Harris pair.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is a trailblazer and has championed LGBTQ+ equality for decades, from spearheading the fight against hate crimes in San Francisco to working to end the so-called gay and transgender ‘panic defense’ in California to early support for same-sex marriage and her leadership as vice president,” Robinson said. “Convicted Donald Trump has already demonstrated that he will destroy our democracy and divide our country to hold on to power. Vice President Kamala Harris is a true champion of unity and accountability, fighting for a nation where no one is above the law and where ‘justice for all’ means something. The Human Rights Campaign couldn’t be more proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and to commit to directing our resources and supporters toward electing the first Black and South Asian woman president of the United States.”
The president’s decision to end his campaign comes less than a month after his disastrous debate performance, which sparked widespread concern and pressure for him to step aside from the 2024 race. The president announced his decision to end his campaign in a letter released Sunday afternoon, saying it was in the best interest of the country and his party to “step back for the remainder of my term and focus on fulfilling the duties of my presidency.”
LGBTQ Democrats also reacted to the news at the local level. The Stonewall Democratic Club, a New York City-wide LGBTQ political club, praised the Biden administration’s record and vowed to help Democrats defeat former President Donald Trump in the general election.
“Today, Stonewall Democrats of New York thank President Biden for his decades of leadership on LGBTQ issues and applaud his selfless decision not to seek a second term,” the club said in a statement. “President Biden has led with compassion, moral clarity and remarkable effectiveness, and the Biden-Harris Administration has made groundbreaking progress for LGBTQ people, including protecting transgender rights and enacting marriage equality. SDNYC honors President Biden’s model of commitment to the American people and is committed to ensuring a Democratic victory in the November election, as efforts to achieve LGBTQ equality continue to move forward.”
Stonewall president Gabriel Lewenstein acknowledged the high expectations surrounding Harris’ candidacy and said members plan to vote in support of her at the club’s next meeting, which meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. at the Manhattan LGBT Community Center.
LGBTQ politicians have begun to voice their support for Harris. Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres, New York’s only openly elected representative, said the president’s decision to drop his candidacy was “the act of Washington politicians.” Torres endorsed Harris in a post on X, saying, “For continuity, stability and unity, the Democratic Party should unequivocally unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.”
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, an openly lesbian Democrat, also endorsed Harris.
“Today marks a new beginning for our party and our nation, and I am excited to continue working together to ease the burden on Wisconsin families, grow our American-made economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms,” Baldwin said on X.
New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas also endorsed Harris, calling her a “competent prosecutor and public servant” who will defeat Trump and his “extremist policies” and move the country forward.
Robert Garcia, the openly Democratic congressman from California who served as co-chair of Harris’ 2020 presidential run, appeared on MSNBC to express his admiration for the president and endorse Harris.
“I fully support Vice President Harris and I can’t wait for the country to get to know her as we know her in California,” Garcia said. “Every day she will make the case against Donald Trump and with her at the forefront, we will defeat him.”
Vermont Rep. Becca Balint, the Green Mountain State’s first openly LGBTQ member of the House of Representatives, endorsed Harris, saying the president has shown Americans what it means to lead with integrity and love for country.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has been an extraordinary partner in the fight for dignity for working families, reproductive freedom, and corporate greed,” Balint said. “Through her leadership, we will be able to continue the president’s legacy and get the job done.”
Rep. Mark Takano of California was among those who called on Biden to give way to Harris before the announcement on July 21. On July 20, Takano released a lengthy statement noting Biden’s accomplishments and urging him to “pass the baton to Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.”
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota initially released a statement on July 21 acknowledging Biden’s decision and praising his performance as president, but on July 22 she released an additional statement explicitly endorsing Harris.
“With so much at stake in November, we need a Democratic candidate with the passion, drive and ability to win,” Craig wrote on X. “I believe that candidate should be Vice President Kamala Harris. I hope you will join me in endorsing VP Harris for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2024.”
“We must now focus all our efforts on electing our next president, Kamala Harris,” Brooklyn Councilman Ki Osse wrote on X during the New York City Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, citing Republican efforts to target reproductive health care and Social Security.
Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, also from Brooklyn, thanked Biden for ending his campaign and making way for Harris.
“I stand with @KamalaHarris yesterday, today and until the end,” Hudson wrote. “And as always, Black women are here to help. It’s all at stake. Let’s go!!!”
Tiffany Cabán, an open city council member who serves as co-chair of the LGBTQIA+ Legislative Caucus, did not mention Harris in a statement posted to X but did hint at the need to support the Democratic candidate.
“A new candidate will be selected in the next few days,” Cabán wrote. “We will fight like hell to win.” [because] “We know what’s at stake. Working people cannot let Trump lose this election. We’re fighting for justice at home and abroad. We’re fighting for our communities. We’re fighting for Queens.”
Another out City Council member, Lynn Schulman of Queens, responded to a post on X from Rep. Grace Meng, who praised Biden and voiced her support for Harris.
“I join my Congressman, colleague and friend @Grace4NY in applauding @JoeBiden and supporting @KamalaHarris in her quest for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States,” Schulman said.
Meanwhile, LGBTQ bars are also starting to jump on the Harris bandwagon: The Bunker, an underground LGBTQ bar and club in Washington, D.C., turned the news of the day into a drink special, referencing a meme that spawned from a speech Harris gave in 2023, in which she recalled her mother telling her, “I don’t know what happened to you guys. You think you fell out of a coconut tree?”
“Congratulations, Kamala!” read a flyer for the Bunker event, offering shots of “Piña Kamala” for $5 until 2 a.m.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19th to 22nd.
