This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 26, 1996, Joe Biden voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, a decision he would later reflect on as a younger man still in the closet.
However, as he noted in a recent statement, “Joe Biden has had 25 years since then to establish his own record and legacy,” and he has indeed spent more than a decade championing L.G.B.T.Q. rights.
From the early days of the modern-day gay rights movement, L.G.B.T.Q. leaders have called for individuals to come out, believing that increased visibility would lead to a shift in public attitudes.
One of Mr. Biden’s grandchildren identifies as L.G.B.T.Q., a testament to his family’s support for the community.
Ms. Kate Bedingfield, a spokesperson for Mr. Biden, said that he has officiated at two gay weddings, including the 2017 marriage of Henry R. Muñoz III and his husband at Mr. Biden’s home in Northern Virginia.
Mr. Muñoz recalled the experience, saying, “He let me work alongside of him to push people in the administration on marriage equality, and then he married me.”
Mr. Biden’s appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in 2012 marked a significant turning point in his relationship with the L.G.B.T.Q. community, as he publicly expressed his support for same-sex marriage.
