US vice-president, Kamala Harris, marched at Capitol Pride in Washington DC on June 12, making her the first person in her position to have taken part in a Pride event. Harris was seen marching with her husband, Doug Emhoff, and wearing a t-shirt with the slogan ‘love is love’ branded on it while wishing those who attended a “happy Pride”. She then addressed the crowd, saying “so much more” needs to be done to protect LGBTQ+ Americans.
She continued: “We need to pass the Equality Act, we need to make sure that our transgender community and our youth are all protected…We need, still, protections around employment and housing – there is so much more work to do and I know we are committed and we understand the importance of this movement and our roles of leadership in this ongoing movement.”
Her attendance at the Pride event comes shortly after president Joe Biden issued his first official proclamation in honour of Pride month 2021, following years of silence from the Trump administration. He said he will “not rest until full equality for LGBTQ+ Americans is finally achieved and codified into law”, and urged American lawmakers to pass the Equality Act to “ensure civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people and families across our country”.