Joe Biden Slams Anti-Transgender Legislation on ‘The Daily Show’: “It’s Close to Sinful”

President Joe Biden opened up about LGBTQIA+ rights on The Daily Show and condemned Florida’s recent attacks on transgender youth. The politician is set to be interviewed by guest host Kal Penn during a pre-recorded segment that will air on tonight’s broadcast.

In a teaser clip shared in anticipation of the episode, the Democratic politician spoke with Penn about same-sex marriage and the ongoing influx of anti-transgender bills being proposed in Florida, many of which directly impact the freedoms of transgender youth in the state. 

“I can remember exactly when my epiphany was,” the president shared. “Hadn’t thought much about it, to tell you the truth. I was a senior in high school and my dad was dropping me off. I remember about to get out of the car and I look to my right, and two well-dressed men in suits kissed each other.”

He continued, “I turned and looked at my dad, and he said, ‘Joey, it’s simple, they love each other.'” Biden continued, “It’s just that simple. It doesn’t matter if it’s a same-sex or heterosexual couple, you should be able to get married.”

Turning the conversation to transgender kids, Biden said, “That’s a harder thing.” He shared, “What’s going on in Florida is – as my mother would say – close to sinful. It’s just terrible what they’re doing.”

Earlier this month, The Hill reported that under Florida’s proposed House Bill 1421, gender-affirming health care — such as surgeries and hormone therapies — will be banned for transgender youth, and transgender adults will be required to submit consent to their doctors prior to every appointment.

Them has also reported a list of additional legislation proposed in the state, including Senate Bill 254, which would recognize supporting transgender children as child abuse and allow the state to remove children from their parents, plus various bathroom bans and an extension of the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which would restrict health education in schools. 

“It’s not like a kid wakes up one morning and says, ‘You know, I decided I wanted to become a man or I want to become a woman,'” Biden told Penn. “They’re human beings. They love, they have feelings, they have inclinations.”

The president added, “to me, it’s cruel” and said to avoid further attacks, “we make sure we pass legislation like we passed on same-sex marriages.” Biden continued, “You mess with that, you’re breaking the law and you’re gonna be held accountable.”

Biden and Penn ended their conversation with a laugh, with the president urging the talk show host to get married to his longtime partner – whom Penn mentioned at the start of the interview, stating that they’re been engaged for the last five years.

Penn is one of the many guest hosts taking over The Daily Show following Trevor Noah’s departure. Hasan Minhaj, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Leslie Jones, Wanda Sykes and D.L. Hughley have previously been at the helm.

The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central. Watch Biden’s full interview in the video above.