Biden praises LGBTQ community at Stonewall visitor center opening

by Alex Gangitano - 06/28/24 5:42 PM ET

President Joe Biden, right, hugs Elton John at the grand opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Biden praised the LGBTQ community in remarks at Stonewall on Friday, a day after his presidential debate against former President Trump.

Friday marked the 55 years since the start of the Stonewall riots, which were demonstrations against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn and was largely considered the start of the U.S. gay rights movement. Biden traveled to New York City to mark the anniversary and attend the opening of the new Stonewall National Monument Visitors Center at the end of Pride Month.

“This beloved bar became the site of a call to cry for freedom, dignity and equality and respect. Rebellion that galvanized the LGBTQ+ community all across the nation and quite frankly, around the world,” Biden said.

He added that “the course of history was changed forever” after the demonstrations. The new monument, located in Greenwich Village to mark the site of the 1969 riots, is open to the public, CBS reported.

“You marked a turning point in civil rights in America,” Biden said at the site. “To this day, Stonewall remains a symbol of legacy of leader of the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans women of color who, for generations, have been at the forefront of helping realize the promise of America, for all Americans.”

Biden also received a boost from other Democrats at his visit to Stonewall.

During the debate Thursday evening, the president’s voice was raspy and he lost his train of thought a few times, leading some Democrats to panic over their prospects in November. White House and Biden campaign officials sought Friday to shut down any notion that Biden will step aside or drop out of the race.

At the start of his remarks at Stonewall, Biden looked for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) from the stage, and she jumped up to hug him. He then asked if Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) was present, and she ran on stage to hug him.

“He’s the best! He’s a fighter!” Gillibrand yelled on the way off the stage.

Biden closed his remarks by introducing legendary musician Elton John, an advocate for the LGBTQ community who owns a charity that works to protect those with AIDS.