News
Biden reflects on trans hero Aimee Stephens, calls conversion therapy ‘sick’
Former VP says he supposed to call late trailblazer before her passing

Vice President Joseph Biden reflected on the death of Aimee Stephens and renewed his commitment to LGBTQ rights in a virtual fundraiser this week, according to a pool report of the event.
Biden made the remarks Wednesday during a Zoom fundraiser, which was co-hosted by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), in response to a question by Seattle-based filmmaker Vlada Knowlton.
Knowlton, the mother of three children, one of whom is transgender, asked Biden what he would do to protect transgender people from “unjust attacks” and discrimination.
In response, Biden mentioned the death of Stephens, the Michigan funeral home director fired for being transgender in 2013 and the center of a major case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court on transgender rights.
Biden said he was supposed to call Stephens this week, but got the news from an aide she had passed away before having the chance to call.
“I was supposed to call her. I had her picture and her bio on my desk, I was supposed to call her. I’m looking over at Annie, I guess it was yesterday at 2:00 and Annie came in me in with tears in her eyes and said they passed away, passed away,” Biden said, referring to Annie Tomasini, his traveling chief of staff.
The decision in the Stephens case, which could come any day, will determine whether anti-trans discrimination is sex discrimination, therefore illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Biden also recommitted himself to transgender rights, saying as president he’d end the practice of conversion therapy, which he called “sick,” pass the Equality Act to ban anti-LGBTQ discrimination through Congress and undo President Trump’s transgender military ban.
In addition, Biden said individuals on IDs should be able to select a third-gender option when they register to vote.
“You ought to be able to just put X on sex, and be able to — you don’t have to explain a damn thing,” Biden said. “If you’re a registered person in that place, you should be able to vote.”
Knowlton told the Washington Blade on Friday via Twitter message she was “satisfied with his answer.”
“He was clearly passionate about the topic of protecting transgender people’s human and civil rights and he was upset over the passing of Aimee Stephens,” Knowlton said. “I thought he was very genuine when he promised to help pass and to sign the Equality Act as well as to do everything in his power to bring back anti-discrimination protections and prosecute hate crimes.”
According to the Biden campaign, 115 people attended the virtual event via Zoom, which was billed as a “Northwest Virtual Reception” and included guests mostly from the northwest region of the country. In addition to Booker, Joe Schocken, president of Broadmark Capital, and his wife Judy Schocken, were event co-hosts.
Hungary
New Hungarian prime minister takes office
Péter Magyar’s party defeated anti-LGBTQ Viktor Orbán last month
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office on Saturday.
Magyar’s center-right Tisza party on April 12 defeated then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition. Vice President JD Vance less than a week before the election traveled to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and urged Hungarians to support Orbán.
Orbán had been in office since 2010. He and his government faced widespread criticism over its anti-LGBTQ crackdown.
The European Commission in 2022 sued Hungary, which is a member of the EU, over the country’s anti-LGBTQ propaganda law. The European Union’s top court, the EU Court of Justice, on April 21 struck down the statute.
The EU while Orbán was office withheld upwards of €35 billion ($41.26) in funds to Hungary in response to concerns over corruption, rule of law, and other issues.
Hungarian lawmakers in March 2025 passed a bill that banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those who participate in them. MPs later amended the Hungarian constitution to ban public LGBTQ events.
Upwards of 100,000 people last June defied the ban and marched in Budapest’s annual Pride parade.
“Congratulations to [Péter Magyar] on becoming prime minister of Hungary,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.
“This Europe Day, our hearts are in Budapest,” she added. “The hope and promise of renewal is a powerful signal in these challenging times.”
“We have important work ahead of us,” noted von der Leyen. “For Hungary and for Europe, we are moving forward together.”
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Congratulations to Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) on being honored with this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health. Amy Nelson, senior director of Legal Services, said, “Congresswoman Sarah McBride is working to make healthcare accessible to all, and this award recognizes her support of healthcare as a human right. Our legal program supports families facing unprecedented challenges to stay healthy and safe – families that Congresswoman McBride champions with a deep understanding of the issues they face and the legislative expertise of how to support them.”
McBride, in a press release, said, “I am honored to accept this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health — an organization that has spent 40 years doing vital work to ensure every person can access the dignity of care. In the wealthiest and most developed nation on earth, the ability to receive care should not be a matter of luck—it should be the law of the land. I am proud to be recognized as a partner in this work and to support Whitman-Walker Health in their mission to build a healthier society for all.”
Congratulations also to Wes Drummond who will join Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach, Del., as its third artistic director. Managing Director Joe Gfaller said, “This is an exciting moment of growth for Clear Space as we welcome Wes to join our remarkable team. I am confident he will be an excellent partner as we work with our entire staff, board, and committed team of volunteers, to ensure Clear Space can achieve its full potential in pursuit of our mission to unite and enrich our community through every production on stage, and every arts-based learning program we offer throughout our community.”
On accepting the position Drummond said, “I’m honored to join Clear Space Theatre Company as artistic director, and beyond excited for what we’re about to create together. Clear Space has established itself as a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of coastal Delaware, and I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this next chapter alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. Rehoboth Beach is a place defined by creativity and community, and I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the region in the months ahead. My vision is to help Clear Space continue to grow as a bold, forward-thinking, cultural force, that champions fearless storytelling.”

Drummond served in leadership roles at Duluth Playhouse in Duluth, Minn., from 2021 to 2026, including four years as executive director followed by one year as executive producing artistic director, guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation and stability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a director, he has worked extensively in New York City, Chicago, and at regional theaters across the country, directing both musical theater and plays with a focus on storytelling that bridges classical works with contemporary perspectives. He has collaborated with leading figures in the industry, including Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif. He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Wes earned his MFA in directing, Penn State University, where he studied under Tony-nominated director, Susan H. Schulman.
Virginia
Va. Supreme Court invalidates Democrat-backed redistricting plan
Voters narrowly approved new congressional districts last month
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that voters approved last month.
Ten of 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts favor Democrats in the plan that passed by a 51-48 vote margin in last month’s referendum.
The Human Rights Campaign PAC is among the groups that support it. The court by a 4-3 majority invalidated the referendum results.
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