Transgender actor and activist Angelica Ross calls upon President Biden and his administration to do more to protect America’s LGBT+ community.

During the 14-minute LGBTQ+ State of the Union video, Ross addressed the inequalities the LGBTQ+ community faces in the country.

“We are all living through a moment of unprecedented loss, financial hardship and sociopolitical discord,” Ross said. “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.”

During her speech, Ross accused the Biden administration of doing the bare minimum for transgender youth in America and urged him to act now.

“You say trans youth are brave and claimed to have their backs,” Ross said. “and your administration has not done enough to sufficiently protect them. Talk is cheap. We need you to act.”

Ross also pushed for the Equality Act to be passed. The federal legislation would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, education and public accommodations.

The act passed in the House last year but has yet to pass the Senate.

“We urge Congress to move this groundbreaking bill forward,” Ross said. “and we implore the Biden administration: continue putting pressure on them to do so.”

Ross would speak directly to transgender and nonbinary youths, expressing that she sees them and understands their pain and reminding them that they are powerful and unstoppable.

“I see you,” Ross said. “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.”

Ross noted 2021 as the worst year for anti-LGBT+ legislation, citing some of the 100 bills introduced in 34 states, including the Texas law that classifies gender-affirming as child abuse and Tennessee’s ban on trans students using school restrooms and locker rooms that establish their gender identity.

The speech, which Billy Porter delivered in 2020 and 2021, comes just hours before President Biden gave his first State of the Union Address amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Youth LGBTQ

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week