Vice President Joe Biden waves to the crowd after he speaks, during…
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Biden was unflinching in his support of LGBT rights at the dinner, although he skirted the idea of his own presidential campaign.
Biden also echoed President Obama’s call for legislation to limit gun violence, singling out the need to reinstitute background checks and limits on the size of automatic weapons magazines that were rescinded under President George W. Bush.
The Vice President praised the LGBT community and declared his support for trans people serving openly in the USA military.
“All Americans are qualified to serve, should be able to serve”.
Biden is calling transgender rights the civil rights issue of our time.
The Vice President made clear the White House’s endorsement of a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill that is making its way through Congress. “Most of ’em are running for president, I think“.
His comments come after Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the Pentagon’s current regulations banning trans individuals are outdated. At age 17, Biden saw two men kiss and walk separate ways and looked at his father, who he said “Joey, they’re in love”.
Seen as a key voice pressing President Obama toward endorsing gay marriage earlier during Obama’s first term, Biden was greeted enthusiastically and introduced as “our friend, our champion”. “A number of you have said to me over the last three to four years“, he began before being interrupted by a shout of “You should run!”
Although Biden has enjoyed strong support from gay groups, many prominent gay Democrats have committed to Clinton, who drew loud cheers whenever her face appeared in videos played before Biden’s speech.
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“He deserves our special thanks for that”, Socarides said.
