Joe Biden has announced a new initiative to encourage acceptance of LGBTQ people.
Launched by the Biden Foundation, the former vice president’s eponymous non-profit which launched after he left the White House, the As You Are campaign hopes to encourage families and communities to accept and understand LGBTQ young people.
“Over the last decade we’ve made incredible progress to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people,” Joe says in the campaign’s promotional video.
“I’m so proud to announce the Biden Foundation has launched a family acceptance campaign. We’ll use our resources to highlight the harms of family rejection – and to lift up research, best practices, and personal stories to show the importance of family acceptance.”
Joe has been a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ community, and even officiated a same-sex wedding during his time as vice president. Other high-profile names supporting the campaign include Cyndi Lauper and former NFL star Wade Davis.
As part of the As You Are campaign, the Biden Foundation are asking people from all backgrounds to share their experiences with acceptance or rejection surrounding the LGBTQ community.
Family rejection can lead to heartbreaking outcomes for LGBTQ youth, so we want you to share your stories about the value of acceptance—because you deserve to be safe and affirmed #AsYouAre. https://t.co/Ry4X20j9bw pic.twitter.com/I8lDXTpVXy
— Biden Foundation (@bidenfoundation) August 7, 2018
“Stories have power. In the past decade, we’ve seen storytelling drive nationwide progress for LGBTQ equality. But far too many LGBTQ people – especially those under 25 – still face rejection from the people closest to them,” the Biden Foundation added.
“So we’re inviting you to help us change that. Share your story with us. Let’s work together to make the world better for LGBTQ young people. No matter your background, you deserve to be safe and affirmed.”
Here in the UK, the Albert Kennedy Trust has highlighted the shocking fact that 24% of of youth facing homelessness identify as LGBTQ, and that 77% of those people have experienced rejection or abuse at home after coming out to their parents.
Watch the Biden Foundation’s message about the As You Are campaign below.
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