This week in Washington, hundreds of LGBTQ+ power players gathered to flex their political muscles and assess the state of LGBTQ+ rights in America at the annual LGBTQ+ Victory Institute International Leaders Conference.As leaders strategize how to navigate a second Trump reign erasing LGBTQ+ rights, they also celebrated the achievements of the Biden administration, giving the former president the Chris Abele Impact Award. Related Lesbian Fox host melts down as Joe Biden says Donald Trump could learn about decency President Biden has shown unwavering commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ people can participate fully and openly in our democracy, said Evan Low, the new president and CEO of the Victory Institute in the groups announcement of the award.The groups board cited Bidens historic leadership on LGBTQ+ equality as reason for the honor. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today From appointing a record number of LGBTQ+ leaders to reversing harmful policies and expanding civil rights protections, his administration set a new and necessary standard for what inclusive governance looks like, Low said. This award honors not only his achievements, but also the real impact these changes have had on LGBTQ+ Americans across the country.The former congressman also cited Bidens influence in recruiting a wave of new LGBTQ+ leaders to stand up to the Trump administrations attacks and provide good governance in general. Its one more achievement in a long list logged by Biden in support of gay people and the trans community, including high-visibility appointments like Pete Buttigieg heading up the Transportation Department and Admiral Rachel Levine serving as Assistant Health Secretary at HHS.At the White House, Biden installed the first gay press secretary to serve an administration, Karine Jean-Pierre. While overseas, he publicly provoked anti-LGBTQ+ nationalist Viktor Orbn in Hungary by appointing an out ambassador to the country; David Pressman took up residence at the American Embassy in Hungary with his husband and two children in 2022.The Victory Institute conference kicked off Thursday and attracted more than 700 LGBTQ+ elected officials, advocates, and global human-rights leaders for the countrys largest LGBTQ+ political gathering. Leaders expected to attend include Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy (D), Senate candidate and current Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones of San Antonio, Texas. Among attendees were the unflagging and always entertaining Trump critic and niece of the president, Mary Trump, along with Stuart Milk, nephew of fallen gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk.But Friday night belonged to Biden.Not only did Biden overturn Trumps first ban on transgender troops in the military while reinstating employment, healthcare, and other protections for LGBTQ+ people stripped by President Trump in his first term Biden left office with 15% of his appointees identifying as LGBTQ+.Its also, sadly, a reminder of the severe damage and exclusion committed during Trumps second administration.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.