Joe Biden tells Ohio crowd that an LGBTQ nondiscrimination law is needed at state, federal level

Joe Biden

Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Human Rights Campaign Columbus, Ohio Dinner at Ohio State University Saturday, June 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told a crowd here Saturday night that President Donald Trump wants to roll back the clock on LGBTQ rights and that it’s time to push for full equal rights for LGBTQ people at the state and federal level.

“Yes, in this dangerous moment for our nation, the very idea of America is at stake," Biden told more than 700 people gathered at Ohio State University’s student union for the 36th Human Rights Campaign Columbus Dinner.

His speech Saturday in Columbus was the former vice president’s first appearance in Ohio since he announced he was running for president on April 25.

Biden threw his support behind the federal Equality Act, legislation that would prohibit discrimination against people based on their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. The U.S. House passed the measure May 17. Biden called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to hold a vote on the bill.

As with federal law, state law doesn’t protect LGBTQ Ohioans from discrimination at work, housing, school and other activities in everyday life.

Some Ohio cities have nondiscrimination ordinances in place to protect the LGBTQ community, Biden said.

He noted that in the Ohio General Assembly, Sen. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, has again introduced a nondiscrimination bill, Senate Bill 11, which is currently in committee.

Biden visits Ohio, which has been considered a swing state, after other Democratic candidates. U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rouke and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttegieg have already campaigned in the state. And of course, Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan calls Niles home.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who is endorsing Buttegieg, hosted his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, this weekend, for the city’s gay pride events.

The 2020 presidential primary in Ohio is March 10.

The Human Rights Campaign hasn’t officially endorsed any candidate for the 2020 election, but has hosted other Democratic presidential candidates at other fundraising events. The gay-rights organization will endorse the Democratic nominee with the focus on defeating President Trump, an HRC spokesman said.

In Columbus Saturday night, Biden was popular among the crowd -- with people shouting out “You’re awesome!” several times during his speech.

Biden was introduced by HRC President Chad Griffin, who described his work as a longtime ally of the LGBTQ community.

Biden was an early public supporter of marriage equality -- more open to it than President Barack Obama was at the time. Two years ago, Biden said transgender equality is the “civil rights issue of our time.” His foundation works to promote acceptance and safety of LGBTQ people.

Equal rights are important not just because they’re the right thing to do, Biden said, but because people look to the United States as a moral beacon. In too many parts of the world, gay rights are eroding, he said.

“Just like with racial justice and women’s rights, we’re seeing pushback with all the progress we’ve made towards equality,” he said. “Progress you’ve worked so hard for decades on.”

But Biden said that there is reason for hope -- despite Trump seeking to kick transgender soldiers out of the military, deny birthright citizenship to children of same-sex couples, lift Obama guidance to schools to respect transgender children’s gender preferences in bathrooms and locker rooms, among other actions.

Ten years ago, straight allies rarely spoke out when people made fun of gays. Today, major corporations boycott states that enact anti-LGBTQ legislation.

“My God, you’ve already changed the environment in such a fundamental way,” he told attendees.

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