Transgender teen Ashton Mota introduced President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday, marking the return of Pride celebrations under his administration.
Back in February, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act, a bill that would ban discrimination of an individual or group based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
For 16-year-old Mota, the passing of this bill was another important step for the trans community.
Speaking at Friday's event, Mota said: "My name is Ashton Mota, I use he/him pronouns, and I'm honored to be here with you all today. I am a 16-year-old Black, Afro-Latino high school student from Lowell, Massachusetts. I also happen to be transgender."
Revealing that he came out to his mom about being trans on his 12th birthday, Mota admitted that he was "scared" of what her reaction would be. "I didn't know how she would react," he said. "But she told me she loved me. That I was her child and that she would support me so I could be the person I was meant to be."
After slamming the ongoing slew of "headline after headline about bill after bill" that seeks to prevent transgender individuals from "joining a sports team, receiving healthcare, or even just using the bathroom," Mota described the Equality Act as "so important".
Mota then introduced 78-year-old President Biden to the podium. The POTUS started by joking how Mota "seemed awfully comfortable" speaking from his podium.
Biden went on to describe Mota's story, leadership, and mom as an "inspiration", before proudly declaring: "Pride is back at the White House."
Describing transgender children as "some of the bravest people in the world", Biden stressed that "it takes courage to be true to your authentic self, and to face discrimination... It takes a toll."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is openly gay, also spoke at the event, commenting on how his presence in the White House "proves how much change is possible in America".
"So many lives have been changed, saved by the sustained advocacy, the moral resolve, the political courage of countless LGBTQ-plus leaders and allies, some elected, some invisible, some long gone, some in this room right now," Buttigieg added.
Per CNN, Friday also saw Biden name Jessica Stern as the US Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons - a position that had existed under President Obama, but not Donald Trump.
Per the White House, part of Stern's responsibilities will see her "leading implementation of the Presidential Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Around the World" and "bring together like-minded governments, civil society organizations, corporations, and international organizations to uphold dignity and equality for all."