Pose’s Angelica Ross urges President Biden to help trans youth: ‘Talk is cheap’
The actress' statement was followed by President Biden's address to the nation.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Twitter/Logo and Wiki
Pose star Angelica Ross has called on the Biden Administration to act to help support the LGBTQ community, in particular trans youth, saying that “talk is cheap”.
The transgender actress, known for her role as Candy Ferocity in the hit FX series, was speaking on TV channel Logo’s LGBTQ State of the Union address; an alternative to the President’s annual State of the Union address which was also delivered on Tuesday (1 March).
“Talk is cheap”
Calling on the LGBTQ community to help hold US leaders to account Angelica, said: “We are all living through a moment of unprecedented loss, financial hardship,and socio-political discord,”
“We know these issues disproportionately impact the most marginalized among us, so we need our leaders to be doing more to protect our LGBTQ+ community — but most particularly our Black trans sisters and siblings,” she continued.
Reflecting on the deaths of at least 51 trans-Americans (the majority Black trans women), Angelica said their loss is “devastating” and lamenting a rise in anti-trans violence and legislation. She urges white cis-LGBTQ people to stand up for their trans brothers and sisters.
Ahead of President Joe Biden’s #StateOfTheUnion, @angelicaross delivers the #LGBTQ State of the Union, reflecting on the past year while imparting a message of hope for #trans and #nonbinary youth as we press forward in 2022 #LGBTQSOTU #SOTU https://t.co/fzfXjdi64Z
— Logo 🏳️🌈 (@LogoTV) March 1, 2022
Turning to the current administration, Angelica celebrateed a statement from Biden to mark Trans Day of Visibility, but says people shouldn’t be happy with “the bare minimum”.
Addressing Biden directly, she added: “You say trans youth are brave and claim to have their backs, and your administration has not done enough to sufficiently protect them. Talk is cheap. We need you to act.”
Furthering her point, she said the passage of the Equality Act, which has stalled in the US Senate, is key to making a difference. “We urge Congress to move this groundbreaking bill forward, and we implore the Biden administration: continue putting pressure on them to do so,” Angelica implored.
Towards the end of her speech, Angelica addressed trans and non-binary people, saying, “I see you”.
“I understand the very unique pain of watching your basic freedoms become pawns in our nation’s fractured political system. If it all feels overwhelming at times, you’re right; it is. But listen up, my dears, because this is important. You are remarkable. You are powerful. You are unstoppable. No amount of hateful rhetoric will ever change that.”
In his speech, Biden also pressed for the passage of the Equality Act to help the LGBTQ community adding that “the onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans and their families is simply wrong,” and affirming his support for trans youth.
View this post on Instagram
GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy group, has welcomed Biden’s comments stating that 195 state bills have been proposed in 2022 with most of those targeting the transgender community.
Attitude’s new-look March/April issue is out now.
