Biden: 8-Year-Olds Should Be Allowed to Decide They’re Transgender
Former vice president declares he will change laws if he's elected
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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden argues that eight-year-olds should be allowed to decide if they are transgender.
During a town hall hosted by ABC News on Thursday night, Biden was asked by voter Mieke Hacke:
"I’m the proud mom of two girls, eight and ten. My youngest daughter is transgender. The Trump administration has attacked the rights of transgender people, banning them from military service, weakening nondiscrimination protections, and even removing the word “transgender” from some government websites. How will you, as president, reverse this dangerous and discriminatory agenda and ensure that the lives and rights of LGBTQ people are protected under U.S. law?
Biden replied:
"I will flat-out just change the law. Eliminate those executive orders, number one."
"You may recall, I’m the guy who said — I was raised by a man who, I remember, I was being dropped off, my dad was a high school-educated, well-read man who was a really decent guy, and I was being dropped off to get an application in the center of our city, Wilmington, Delaware, the corporate capital of the world at the time."
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"And these two men are getting out to get an application to be a lifeguard in the African-American community because there was a big swimming pool complex," Biden continued.
"And these two men, well-dressed, leaned up and hugged one another and kissed one another.
"I’m getting out of the car at the light, and I turned to my dad, and my dad looked at me, he said, Joey, it’s simple," he added.
"They love each other. The idea that an 8-year-old child, a 10-year-old child, decides, you know, I want to be transgender, that’s what I think I’d like to be, it’d make my life a lot easier — there should be zero discrimination," Biden said.
"And what’s happening is, too many transgender women of color are being murdered.
"They’re being murdered."
"I mean, I think it’s up to now 17, don’t hold me to that number.
"But — it’s higher now?"
Haeck replied, "Yes."
Biden continued:
"And that’s just this year.
"And so, I promise you; there is no reason to suggest that there should be any right denied your daughter or daughters, whichever, one or two."
"And by the way, my son, Beau, passed away, was the attorney general of the State of Delaware."
"He was the guy that got the first transgender law passed in the state of Delaware and because of a young man who became a woman, who worked for him in the attorney general’s office."
"And I’m proud of that."
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Earlier this year, Biden said that sex confirmation surgery was medically necessary for transgender people as he pushed for changes to force insurers to cover procedures.
Biden was asked at the time if he would ensure transgender people have access to healthcare that is affordable.
"As president, I'm going to protect and build on Obamacare with a public option," Biden said.
"That's the fastest way to get to universal coverage," he added.
In January, Biden has declared that "transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time."
