Lady Gaga, Cher and Billy Porter lead triumphant, emotional celebrations as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win election
Lady Gaga performing at a Joe Biden rally. (Getty)
As Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were elected, scores of queer celebrities, allies and icons, as well as top LGBT+ rights groups, took to social media to celebrate a bright new era.
Relief rang out Saturday (November 7) after Joe Biden was elected the 46th president of the US, and Kamala Harris became the first woman – and first Black woman – elected to the vice-presidency.
The news brings four abhorrent years of Donald Trump leadership to an end, cementing his bitter legacy as a single-term president. The result was a stunning repudiation not only of the Republican’s torrent of anti-LGBT+ policies, but an embrace of Biden and Harris’ hope for change.
The mood lifted like steam from a teapot. Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga cried, while Billy Porter did what he does best.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1325116160044490753
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Come thru, #Pennsylvania!! pic.twitter.com/r5Sbrp42gQ— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) November 7, 2020
Cynthia Nixon and Cher jumped and cheered.
BETWEEN JUMPING ON MY BED & CRYING I COULDN’T
TWT‼️I HAVE WANTED HIM TO BE PRESIDENT SINCE 2006🌟
MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE— Cher (@cher) November 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/MijhlHKnkU— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) November 7, 2020
Jonathan Van Ness screamed and laughed with delight while Antoni Peroski could not stop shaking.
shaking and trying to process this ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/l2Alv3Kv8L— Antoni Porowski (@antoni) November 7, 2020
Michelle Visage, the sharp-tongued RuPaul’s Drag’s Race judge, captured the sense of hope that a Biden triumph will no doubt imbue.
https://twitter.com/michellevisage/status/1325124915545042944
Pete Buttigieg sent a simple congratulations.
Congratulations to our next president, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. pic.twitter.com/1FA54znuuL— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 7, 2020
She is making history already, and she will serve our nation well.
Congratulations Madam Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris!— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 7, 2020
Sarah McBride, who this week became the first transgender person to be elected to a US state senate, shared a personal story.
When I came out, @JoeBiden told me, “Beau is so proud of you.”
Today, Mr. President-elect, Beau is so proud of you. We are all so proud of you. pic.twitter.com/LugAAl4dzO— Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 7, 2020
LGBT+ rights groups were also quick to celebrate.
GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement: “The results of this presidential election affirm that every vote and every voter counts. LGBTQ people and all marginalised Americans came together to make this victory possible, and now the journey to safety, equality and acceptance can continue forward.”
“Now is a time to come together, for the sake of our country and the most marginalized among us. Ending the public health crisis of LGBTQ youth suicide will require urgent action,” added Sam Brinton, vice president of advocacy and government affairs for The Trevor Project.
“From increased investment in specialized services for LGBTQ youth to comprehensive policy reforms at the federal, state, municipal, and school district levels to protect youth from the harms of conversion therapy and discrimination.
“We look forward to working with the new Administration and Congress on these issues, and to continuing our bipartisan work with legislators across all 50 states.”
