On the occasion of the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, US President Joe Biden invited singer Cyndi Lauper.
On Tuesday, Cyndi Lauper was present at a White House press briefing to express her gratitude to Joe Biden and his administration for having succeeded in passing the Respect for Marriage Act. The law, passed as the Supreme Court threatened to reverse rulings protecting marriage for all, strengthened marriage rights across the country, especially for same-sex and interracial couples.
« I wanted to say thank you to President Biden, Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi, Vice President Harris and all the advocates on this teamsaid the singer. For once our families, mine and many of my friends and people you know, sometimes your neighbors… we can sleep easy tonight because our families are validated. »
« Today is a good daysaid Joe Biden at the White House. A day when America takes an essential step towards equality, freedom and justice, not just for some, but for all. Towards the creation of a nation where decency, dignity and love are recognized, honored and protected. »
The Respect for Marriage Act officially repeals the 1996 law called Defense of Marriage (DOMA), which limited marriage to the exclusive union of a man and a woman. It was superseded by the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which established same-sex marriage as a 14th Amendment right. Now, states are required to recognize all marriages across state lines and provide same-sex couples with the same federal benefits as any married couple.
« We are here today to celebrate their courage and all those who made this day possiblecontinued the president. A courage that has led to the progress we have seen over the decades, progress that gives us hope that each generation will continue on its way to a more perfect union.. »
When President Biden signed the Law on the White House Lawn, Lauper gave a special interpretation of ” True Colors ” for the occasion. She founded the non-profit organization True Colors Fund in 2008 to expand education on LGBTQ+ issues.
« Now we’re allowed to love who we love, which seems strange to sayadded Lauper. Bless Joe Biden and all the people who worked on this project, for allowing people not to worry and their children not to worry about their future. ».
Sam Smith was also present for a rendition of ” Stay With Me “. In a post Instagramthe musician wrote: My deepest thanks to President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for inviting me to perform at the White House, it was a true honor. I felt inspired to change the lyrics to “Stay With Me” of “this ain’t love, it’s clear to see” at “this is love, it’s clear to see” to mark this historic occasion. Seeing President Biden sign the law was a historic moment […] and hopefully the beginning of the important work ahead to continue to expand protections for LGBTQ+, non-binary, and transgender communities; and build a world where love is celebrated regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or sexuality. »
In the presence of survivors of the recent Club Q shootout in Colorado Springs and another from the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, as well as plaintiffs from the Obergefell vs. Hodges and Loving vs. Virginia cases (which struck down laws banning interracial marriage), Biden added, ” We must challenge the hundreds of callous and cynical laws introduced in states that target transgender children, terrify families, and criminalize doctors who give children the care they need. We need to protect these children so they know they are loved and that we will stand up for them. […] My friends, racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia are all linked. But the antidote to hate is love… This law matters to every American, no matter who you are or who you love. »
Larisha Paul
Translated by the editor