Joe Biden Hits Back at Critics of Transgender Care, Surgeries

United States President Joe Biden reiterated his support for the LGBTQ community when he criticized those opposed to transgender care and surgeries
The Democrat called critics "hysterical and "prejudiced" in their stance against transgender individuals
Biden's remarks came during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

United States President Joe Biden hit back at critics of transgender care and surgeries, calling the opposition "hysterical" and "prejudiced," reiterating his support for the LGBTQ community on Thursday.

During a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Democratic leader faced questions about Republicans' actions with the intent to "restrict rights and medical care" of transgender Americans. He was also asked about the anti-LGBTQ protests that became violent in California earlier this week.

Biden Reiterates Support for LGBTQ Community

Laura Barron-Lopez, the PBS Newshour's White House correspondent that asked the questions, told Biden that she had interviewed the family of a transgender child in Texas. She noted that they were considering not only moving out of the state over its laws but also leaving the United States entirely to protect their child, as per the Daily Mail.

In response, Biden said that he wanted to get the family's number so that he could them himself. He said he wanted to let them know that the U.S. president and his administration would have their backs regarding the issue.

Then, the Democratic leader pointed to his own pro-LGBTQ record of trying to roll back former United States President Donald Trump's ban on transgender troops. He also cited his signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the Obergefell decision. That came after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that it could be re-examined after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Biden argued that it was wrong that a person can be married in the morning in the United States and later on fired from their job in the afternoon simply because he is gay. He added that it was wrong that there is a increasing amount of violence and hate crimes targeting LGBTQ individuals. He also criticized officials who are pushing hateful bills, targeting transgender children, scaring families, and criminalizing doctors who are trying to help.

Criticizing Opposition to Transgender Care

On Thursday, the president also announced new measures that seek to help schools and LGBTQ children navigate around book bans. He also plans to help community centers fight threats, give better care access to transgender youth, and have Congress pass the Equality Act, according to Reuters.

Recently, Republican-led states have signed a series of bills that target transgender youth as some states have even banned teachers of younger kids from discussing gender or sexuality topics. Furthermore, conservative lawmakers have proposed or passed various laws that restrict drag performances.

Biden also postponed a Pride Month celebration that was scheduled to be held on the White House lawn and would have included thousands of guests from across the United States. The event was rescheduled to Saturday and is designed to be a high-profile show of support for the LGBTQ community, said NBC News.