Biden's Pride Celebration: 'He's Running From Me,' the Topless Activists and the Military Policy Trump Reversed (June 10, 2023)

President Joe Biden hosted what he called “the largest Pride Month celebration ever held at the White House” on June 10, 2023, and he opened with a story from his boyhood in Wilmington, Delaware [1].

“And there were these two well-dressed men standing on a corner. The light changed. They kissed each other and went in different directions. One went to the DuPont Building; one went to the Hercules building,” Biden said. “I looked at my dad. He looked back at me. He said: ‘It’s simple. They love each other. It’s simple.’” [1]

He closed by handing the stage back to the first lady. “And in just a few minutes, Jill’s going to come back and introduce a performer who embodies joy of this community,” Biden said [1].

The video above shows the end of the Pride celebration on the South Lawn. Quotes are from the official transcript and pool reports published by the American Presidency Project [1][2].

”He’s Running From Me”

Biden was listing his record when someone in the crowd moved. “I signed historic Executive orders strengthening civil rights protections for——” he began. The transcript notes that “the President responded to movement from an audience member.” [1]

“He’s running from me; I don’t know where he is going,” Biden said, to laughter. “Do that again, man. You’re a sprinter.” [1]

Near the end, the transcript notes, “The President pretended to drop the microphone.” The crowd chanted, “Four more years!” [1]

“Ended the Ban”

Biden counted the military among his accomplishments. “As Commander in Chief, I was proud to have ended the ban on transgender Americans serving in the United States military,” he said [1].

He promised more. “That’s why the Congress must pass and send me the Equality Act to codify protections for LGBT community,” Biden said [1].

”Callous and Cynical Bills”

Biden went after state laws. “We need to push back against the hundreds of callous and cynical bills and laws introduced in States targeting transgender children, terrifying families, and criminalizing doctors and nurses,” he said [1].

He named Florida’s law without saying so. “I see students who are leading walkouts and protests of hateful bills like ‘Don’t Say Gay,’” Biden said [1].

He also took on book bans: “we’re addressing how the growing threat to—book bans may violate the Federal civil rights laws when they target LGBTQ students or students of color and create hostile classroom environments” [1].

”Inappropriate and Disrespectful”

The video that made headlines came from guests. Transgender activist Rose Montoya posted footage showing Montoya “and another unnamed transgender activist, a biological female, baring their breasts on the South Lawn with the White House in view behind them,” Fox News reported [3].

Three days later, the White House responded. “This behavior is inappropriate and disrespectful for any event at the White House. It is not reflective of the event we hosted to celebrate LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of guests who were in attendance. Individuals in the video will not be invited to future events,” the statement said [3].

Montoya defended it. “I fully support the movement and freeing the nipple,” Montoya said in a follow-up video, Fox reported, adding that “it is perfectly within the law of Washington, D.C.” Fox noted that Montoya had also met the President on video, saying, “It’s an honor, Mr. President. Trans rights are human rights.” [3]

At the briefing that day, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “the behavior was simply unacceptable. We’ve been very clear about that.” [4]

“Restore Honor and Decency”

Republicans pounced. “Joe Biden claimed he would ‘restore honor and decency to the White House,’” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital. “He’s failing miserably,” Cruz said. “It used to be appropriate to wear a suit and tie to the White House, but now apparently you don’t even have to wear a shirt.” [5]

By the Numbers

1,000+: Americans Biden said had come to the South Lawn [1].
20 minutes: how long Biden worked the rope line afterward, per the pool [2].
3 days: from the event to the White House statement [3].
Jan. 27, 2025: the day Trump signed the order on military readiness [6].

What Happened Next

The ban came back. On Jan. 27, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14183, “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.” It said Biden’s order, “Executive Order 14004 of January 25, 2021 (Enabling All Qualified Americans To Serve Their Country in Uniform), has been revoked.” [6]

“The United States military has a clear mission: to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force,” Trump’s order says [6].

The White House said the order “revokes Biden Administration Executive Order 14004 and all policies, directives, and guidance pursuant to that order” and directs the Pentagon to “end the use of invented and identification-based pronouns” [7].

For Biden’s remarks the day before, see HYGO News’ page on Rocky Mount.