Sam Smith delivers emotional performance at White House as Joe Biden signs equal marriage bill-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro

Sam Smith delivered an emotional performance at the White House as US President Joe Biden signed protection for same-sex and interracial marriages into law (Picture: Getty Images)

Sam Smith has given a powerful performance at the White House as US President Joe Biden signed a bill protecting same-sex marriage.

The bill ensures federal protections and recognition for same-sex and interracial marriages in the US, marking a major victory for couples after a decades-long fight.

There was a celebratory tone in the air as Biden signed the bill on Tuesday, with the event marked by a signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

British pop icon Sam attended the event where they gave an emotional performance of their hit track Stay With Me.

Sam, who is non-binary, performed for a crowd of both Republicans and Democrats, with the bill having been supported by members of both sides, and was accompanied by backing singers and a keyboardist.

The star dressed in a smart black outfit for the occasion, with a thick winter coat paired with a pale open shirt and a pearl necklace.

The Grammy-winning British musician was invited to perform at the landmark event (Picture: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Sam performed emotive track Stay With Me, which was a major hit in 2015 (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Following Sam’s performance, the crowd were treated to appearances by LGBTQ+ advocate Cyndi Lauper, and queer artist Joy Oladokun.

Cyndi, taking to the stage to perform 1986 hit True Colours, told the crowd: ‘This time, love wins.’

She later appeared in the White House briefing room and, in a short speech to reporters, thanked the US president for allowing people ‘not to worry about their future.’

Cyndi Lauper gave a powerful speech following a rendition of her track True Colours on the South Lawn (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I came here because I wanted to say thank you to President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Vice President Harris and all the advocates in his team,’ she said, according to PA.

‘For once, our families, mine and a lot of my friends, people you know, sometimes your neighbours, we can rest easy tonight because our families are validated.

‘Because now we are allowed to love who we love, which sounds odd to say, but Americans can now love who we love.

The bill received bipartisan support and was signed into law this week (Picture: AP)

‘Bless Joe Biden and all the people who worked on this for allowing people and their children not to worry about their future.’

Biden signed the bill after it passed the House last week and the Senate last month with bipartisan support.

A total of 39 Republican House members and 12 GOP senators joined all Democrats and independents in both chambers in voting in favor of the legislation.

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Signing the bill into law this week, Biden noted: ‘This shouldn’t be about conservative or liberal, red or blue.

‘No, this is about realizing the promise of the Declaration of Independence, a promise rooted in sacred and secular beliefs, a promise that we’re all created equal.’

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