Vice President Kamala Harris has been officially endorsed by President Joe Biden for the presidential nominee, following Biden’s announcement Sunday that he will step down from seeking reelection.
Prominent LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations and elected officials have been quick to follow.
Although Harris has yet to make any announcement on her policies or plans, she demonstrates a strong history of allyship with the queer community.
During her run as California’s attorney general, she opposed Proposition 8, an initiative that attempted to reverse same-sex marriage. She also officiated some of the first same-sex marriages in the U.S. while serving as San Fransisco district attorney in 2004. In her time as Vice President, Harris has spoken out against “don’t say gay” laws.
Harris said Sunday she is “honored to have the President’s endorsement” and she plans to “earn and win this nomination.”
On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 21, 2024
I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.
The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, vocalized their support for Harris.
HISTORIC: From leading the fight against hate crimes in San Francisco to serving as VP in the most pro-LGBTQ+ administration in history, Kamala Harris is a champion for LGBTQ+ equality.
— HRC 🥥🌴 (@HRC) July 21, 2024
We enthusiastically endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/GjcElmmBPi
“The Human Rights Campaign could not be prouder to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and commit to channeling our resources and supporters to work to elect the first Black and South Asian woman president of the United States,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson in a statement.
“Vice President Kamala Harris is a true champion of unity and accountability – and will fight for a country where no one is above the law and “justice for all” means something,” she continued.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President and CEO Annise Parker thanked Biden for “leading the most progressive and inclusive presidential term in American history”.
“The Biden administration has reinforced its dedication to LGBTQ+ equality through action,” Parker said in a statement. “We are sincerely grateful for President Biden’s leadership, partnership, and service to our nation. We know we have a trusted ally in Vice President Kamala Harris who works tirelessly toward full LGBTQ+ equality.”
The National LGBTQ Task Force has also announced their support, with “hope and excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris.”
“The Task Force action fund calls on LGBTQ+ people and our allies to take action and engage in the political process,” Executive Director Kierra Johnson said in a statement. “Only through a show of voting power in the November 5 election will we begin building the democracy we deserve.”
A few gay elected officials are calling on their constituents to take Harris’ name to the polls. California U.S. Representative Robert Garcia tweeted, “It’s been an honor to support @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris from day one. Now we must unite around our Vice-President and defeat Donald Trump. I’m all in, are you? Let’s go!”
It’s been an honor to support @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris from day one. Now we must unite around our Vice-President and defeat Donald Trump. I’m all in, are you? Let’s go!
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) July 21, 2024
The Equality PAC, co-chaired by New York Representative Ritchie Torres and California U.S. Representative Mark Takano, praised Biden for his “lifetime of public service” while looking towards the future with Harris.
There is no one more prepared to take on the position as President than Vice President Harris. From her days as Attorney General of California, Vice President Harris has staunchly defended the LGBTQ community, making sure our rights were not only protected but enshrined into law.
— Equality PAC (@lgbtequalitypac) July 21, 2024
“There is no one more prepared to take on the position as President than Vice President Harris,” they tweeted. “From her days as Attorney General of California, Vice President Harris has staunchly defended the LGBTQ community, making sure our rights were not only protected but enshrined into law.”
“The stakes could not be higher in this election for LGBTQ Americans,” the PAC said.
Harris is scheduled to speak today at a White House event celebrating NCAA championship teams. This will be her public appearance since Biden’s announcement yesterday.
