Triumphant moment gay bar erupts in cheers after president-elect Joe Biden gives historic shout-out to trans people in victory speech
Hundreds of people packed a Philadelphia gay bar to celebrate Joe Biden winning the presidential race. (Screen captures via Twitter)
Cheers erupted in the packed streets outside a Philadelphia queer bar Saturday night after US president-elect Joe Biden gave a seismic shout-out to “gay and transgender” voters during his victory speech.
Indeed, it started with a low rumble – shocked faces, light clapping – before the bar-goers huddling for warmth all stood up in jubilation. While just a brief mention, it echoed how the Democratic challenger to Donald Trump had campaigned vociferously for trans rights, a plank of his policy pledges.
Hundreds gathered that night outside Woody’s on 202 S 13th Street to watch Biden’s victory speech.
Footage posted by Buzzfeed News‘ Amber Jamieson on Twitter showed the moment the crowds swung their arms up high and clinked their drinks in celebration – capturing the sense of relief among LGBT+ Americans of Trump being unseated after four years of their rights being rescinded.
After Biden’s 17-minute-long speech drew to a close, the crowd gave a standing ovation, clapping, whooping and chanting “This is Biden” for nearly 30 seconds.
this philly bar gave Biden a standing ovation for his first speech as president-elect pic.twitter.com/3vJpHWXdvH
— Amber Jamieson (@ambiej) November 8, 2020
Scores of Twitter users matched the high-decibel reaction to Biden’s speech as the rejoicing rippled from the streets to social media.
A President’s words have impact. Something 45 failed to remember. https://t.co/wjk4A7Y268— • matt • (@MTAstringer) November 8, 2020
Thought I was done crying… I am not. https://t.co/TvKt24ihBy— Rachel (she/her) (@RachTalksSoccer) November 8, 2020
And I am crying again. 💙💙💙 https://t.co/lnG375BB8Q— Nurse, Fighter, Resister 💙 (@Dagyngrl) November 8, 2020
I'm not American.
I'm not Native American.
I'm not Black.
I'm not Gay.
I'm not Trans.But damn I sure did well up when, during his victory speech, Biden name checked every single person and group that the Trump administration stepped on.
Today is a better day.#bidenharis2020 https://t.co/0o0731cMH4— That Joe Guy #BLM (@JoeyJoeGleeson) November 8, 2020
This is the first thing that’s fully made me break down, I so hope this means trans brothers + sisters in the US, tbh the whole world, can look towards a life without being subject to fear & constant undermining of their right to exist.
No guarantees, but this is a huge leap https://t.co/zEKKjyOGBq— John BH (@public_culture_) November 8, 2020
Joe Biden, in one of many historic firsts, thanks LGBT+ voters for supporting him.
Cars honked. Pots and pans were banged. People cheered and danced at Biden’s victory speech in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
President-elect Joe Biden and family wave to crowd after addressing the nation from the Chase Center on the Rriverfront. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Addressing the euphoric crowd, Biden, 77, began his victory speech by renewing his commitment to healing a nation deeply wounded by division.
He began by thanking “the broadest and most diverse coalition in history” for backing his campaign, including a shoutout to the LGBT+ community.
“I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most diverse coalition in history,” he said.
“Democrats, Republicans, independents. Progressives, moderates, conservatives. Young, old. Urban, suburban, and rural. Gay, straight, transgender. White. Latino. Asian. Native American.”
