Joe Biden fires culture war salvo with big LGBTQ celebration

US President Joe Biden hosted a major White House reception in honour of LGBTQ rights, striking a counter blow in the heating culture wars.

US President Joe Biden after signing an executive order related to LGBTQ rights. Picture: AFP

US President Joe Biden hosted a major White House reception on Wednesday in honour of LGBTQ rights, striking a counter blow in the heating culture wars ahead of November midterm elections.

Mr Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and several cabinet members – including gay Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg – joined hundreds of representatives from the LGBTQ community to celebrate Pride Month.

Mr Biden earlier signed an executive order aimed at providing federal support on a variety of rights in the LGBTQ community that the White House sees as under attack from Republican state-level leaders, especially in Florida where potential presidential candidate Governor Ron DeSantis has put combating “woke” culture at the heart of his agenda.

The intervention by Mr Biden aims to counter an “onslaught of hateful … legislation that we’re seeing in the states,” a senior official said.

In March Mr DeSantis signed a law banning lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida elementary schools.

AFP