Cher Helps to Raise $2M for Joe Biden During LGBTQ+ Virtual Fundraiser

Cher helped to raise nearly $2 million for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's campaign during an LGBTQ+ virtual fundraiser, according to the Washington Blade.

Last week, the music icon and LGBTQ+ activist announced she would be headlining the fundraiser, which was also attended by gay politicians U.S. Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Ind., who was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Buttigieg, who made history as the first gay major-party candidate to win delegates and appear on a national debate stage, introduced the icon by saying, "I am the only thing between hundreds of prominent LGBTQ+ activists and Cher."

The former mayor lauded Cher for having inspired "millions with her music and with her advocacy" before referring to her hit song "Believe," which has become a gay anthem. "So ask yourself: Do you believe in life after Trump?"

Cher began by saying she'd known Biden for nearly 14 years when she "invited" herself to his office.

"He thinks he invited me, but really I invited myself. I saw a speech Joe had given and it was love at first speech," she quipped, according to the Blade. "So I went to his office to grill him and I asked him really pointed questions, and unlike most politicians, Joe actually listened to me and cared [about] what I had to say. He was honest and kind and smart."

Cher added, "Joe is smart enough, he's kind enough, he's strong enough. I also know that the person, woman, man, camera, TV, in the White House is an idiot. I mean it. No, the guy is really an idiot."

The legendary performer, whose transgender son, Chaz Bono, is a trailblazing actor in his own right, touched on Trump's anti-trans policies that include banning trans people from serving in the military and abolishing antidiscrimination protections for trans people in the health care system and in homeless shelters.

"After all this, Trump has the audacity to say he supports Americans he calls, quote, 'the gays.' I'm surprised he doesn't call them his 'gay generals,'" she pointed out.

Biden, who appeared earlier in the livestream, confirmed with viewers that he is prioritizing signing the Equality Act into law within 100 days as president. If passed, the law would amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and the jury system.

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"I'll make signing the Equality Act one of the top priorities of my first 100 days," Biden said plainly. "[We will] build a nation where everybody, everybody is finally not only created equal, but treated equally as well."

Biden also recognized Buttigieg, acknowledging his "physical courage as a naval officer and moral courage as a leader."

Biden spoke of his history with Cher, saying that she "first supported us way back last winter when it took some guts to do so. Fortunately, guts are something Cher has in abundance."

Baldwin spoke about how Trump was dividing the country, including in "my home state of Wisconsin, where we have seen tragedy and heartbreak in Kenosha, Wis., that this current president has only tried to stir it up and make it worse."

"We need at this moment Joe Biden's leadership, his compassion and empathy, and his unity and hope," she added.