On Wednesday, January 6, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America. Kamala Harris took the oath shortly before Joe Biden, making history as the nation’s first female, Black, and South Asian vice president.
The inauguration took place at the Capitol Building as is tradition, but due to the pandemic, there were no large crowds in attendance. Absent of people, the Washington Mall was filled with approximately 191,500 flags.
In his speech, Biden repeated his message of unity, promising to be a president for all Americans, while acknowledging the deep divides in our country.
“I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. I know the forces that divide us are deep, and they are real, but I also know they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we’re all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial and victory is never assured.” Biden said.
Amanda Gorman, a poet and activist, followed up Biden’s speech with her poem “The Hill We Climb.” Gorman, who at 22 is the youngest inaugural poet ever, was lauded for the performance of her material, which built upon the themes Biden laid out in his speech. Gorman spoke of acknowledging and overcoming issues of the past that shape our present, and spoke about how to actualize the vision of America as a just nation. The poem begins:
“When day comes, we ask ourselves: Where can we find light in this never ending shade?” Gorman recited. “The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We braved the belly of the beast.”
Biden’s inauguration garnered praise by liberals as a return to order for a nation whose past four years have seen traditions and institutions weakened by Donald Trump. LGBTQ activists have welcomed the new administration, who has committed to restoring protections for LGBTQ people that the Trump administration weakened.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris have each demonstrated a strong commitment to public service in the interest of marginalized people, inclusive of LGBTQ+ people, throughout their careers. This work promises to continue through the leadership of the new administration’s Cabinet, whose nominees would make it among the most racially, ethnically, and gender diverse in our nation’s history.” Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National said in a statement.
The administration has already received praise from LGBTQ advocates for nominating the first openly gay Cabinet member, Pete Buttigieg, as Secretary of Transportation. Two lesbian woman of color, Pili Tobar and Karine Jean-Pierre, will serve on Biden’s all-female communications team. Carlos Elizando, a gay man, was named White House Social Secretary. Also drawing praise was the selection of Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant health secretary. Levine, a transgender woman, will be the first transgender official to be confirmed by the Senate.
In an Op-Ed published on inauguration day, President of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis praised the Biden Administration as a step in the right direction.
“The Biden Administration has announced plans to overturn every discriminatory Trump administration attack on LGBTQ people, including repealing the ban on transgender troops. President Biden has promised to move the Equality Act forward and reinstate protections so transgender students feel safe at school—guidance the Trump administration had withdrawn weeks into office.” Ellis writes.
“More than reversing policy, the inauguration of President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris is a return to visibility for LGBTQ Americans and other marginalized communities. President-elect Biden and VP-elect Harris speak out consistently on LGBTQ issues, including addressing the epidemis of violence facing transgender women of color last fall on Transgender Day of Remembrance.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic party, released a statement about the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris that praised the strength of our democratic institutions.
“Today, I watched with pride and patriotism as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took the sacred oaths to lead our country, and I stand optimistic for the promise of tomorrow as President Biden and Vice President Harris step up to tackle the many challenges we face.” Carroll says.
Biden, coming into office at a time of civil unrest and in the midst of a global pandemic that has killed 400,000 Americans alone, will have to act swiftly and authoritatively. Mirroring the optimism shown in Biden’s speech, liberals see hope in this new administration to lead us through these unprecedented times.
