President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday, protecting same-sex and interracial marriages under federal law. To celebrate the move, Cyndi Lauper and Sam Smith appeared at the White House signing party to perform “True Colors” and “Stay With Me,” respectively.
“This time, love wins,” Lauper said before launching into “True Colours.” Without a backing track, the artist belts out the famous “Don’t Be Afraid” chorus backed only by acoustic guitar and a dulcimer. Toward the end of the performance, after a long high note, the audience applauded before Lauper said, with his fist in the air, “Strength to all people.”
Released in 1986, Lauper said True Colors was inspired in part by her boyfriend Gregory Natal, who passed away due to complications from HIV/AIDS. In 2008, she founded the True Colors Fund, a non-profit organization focused on ending LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.
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Meanwhile, the Smiths and their all-black backing band showed up for a stellar rendition of “Stay With Me.” The track helped Smith become a popular gay artist in 2014, while the singer recently became the first non-binary artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with Kim Petras’ duet “Unholy.”
The Respect for Marriage Act follows the Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. valley. In issuing their decision, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote an approving opinion suggesting that the Court should also revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 resolution that legalized same-sex marriage.
“Today, I sign the Respect for Marriage Act into law — a landmark civil rights bill that honors the courage and sacrifice of generations of couples who have fought for marriage equality and equal rights,” said President Biden.
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.@Sam Smith He performs “Stay With Me” at the White House Marriage Act Signing Ceremony
Full video here: https://t.co/k9MaTDgTOK pic.twitter.com/neFTucAYSa
—CSPAN (cspan) December 13, 2022
Today, I sign the Respect for Marriage Act into law—a landmark civil rights bill that honors the courage and sacrifice of generations of couples who have fought for marriage equality and equal rights.
– President Biden (POTUS) December 13, 2022
