LGBTQ+ Americans Express a Weary Hope With Biden-Harris Inauguration

As Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, GLAAD released a new video featuring LGBTQ+ Americans celebrating and commemorating the event.

The video features music from trans singer Shea Diamond, whose anthem "I Am America" is worked into the clip as a diverse series of LGBTQ+ Americans talk about their hopes for the next four years and what makes our country's people so great. It's only a 60-second clip, but wow, does it pack a punch.

"I am America. Yo soy America! I am your neighbor, your coworker, your friend, your family," the people in the video proudly say. "I am an LGBTQ American and I am fighting to keep you healthy. I am fighting for a country that uplifts racial justice. Protects transgender Americans. Provides access to the American dream."

"I am an LGBTQ American and I am working," the video continues. "I am working to educate your family. Working to make America brighter. Kinder. And better. I am an LGBTQ American and I am powerful. Together. We are America."

The video ends with Diamond singing, "This is how America walks. How America talks. This is how America is," as the words, "LGBTQ Americans and allies unite to honor the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Let's advance LGBTQ equality and acceptance together" appear on the screen.

In addition to the video, Sara Kate Ellis, GLAAD's president and CEO, released a statement on the historic occasion. "Today is a new page in history for our country and the LGBTQ community as a place where all belong, all can be safe and all can succeed," the statement reads.

"The Biden-Harris administration is already making historic strides for LGBTQ Americans, with a Cabinet and staff that include a record number of LGBTQ people, and executive orders enacted on day one that commit to federal workplaces free of discrimination against LGBTQ Americans," she continued.

"The time has never been more urgent to take bold steps for equality to lift and heal all Americans. GLAAD urges swift action including the reversal of the ban on transgender Americans in the military and for Congress to pass and President Biden to sign The Equality Act into law to provide comprehensive protections from discrimination for every LGBTQ person across the country," the statement reads.

Ellis ended her statement on a hopeful note, saying, "We have every expectation the new Congress and president will align those core values with laws to secure them, and center equality and justice for all."