February 6, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Joe Biden Talk of Hope, Support for LGBTQ+ Community Even During Trump Era at HRC Gala

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s speech at the annual Human Rights Campaign Gala Sunday night highlighted the long standing familial history of acceptance and advocation for the LGBTQ+ community.

Biden recounted when his father first taught him the meaning of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“I learned early on from my father it’s a simple proposition,” Biden said, recalling a time when his father was driving him somewhere at age 17. “As I got out of the car, two men dressed in suites … leaned over and kissed one another, embraced. And I just turned and looked at my dad and this is what he said to me – He said, ‘Joey, it’s simple. They love each other. It’s simple.’”

Biden went on to pay tribute to his deceased son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, and all the effort and support he contributed to the LGBTQ+ community as well. 

“He died of cancer,” Biden said. “A terrible disease. We have a foundation that is trying to end cancer as we know it. This is a disease on America. The disease of homophobia. We can end it. We can save my grandkids, my great-grandkids and thousands and thousands of Americans. And the rest of the world will repair to the American standards.”

To further support the LGBTQ+ community, Biden launched the “As You Are” campaign this summer. This philanthropic effort aims to prevent LGBTQ+ youth from being rejected by family and help those that are.

Biden also addressed Seth Owen, the student whose teachers raised thousands of dollars via crowdfunding to allow him to attend college after his parents threw him out for being gay.

“Be strong. I am proud of you,”Biden said to Owen who was sitting in the audience. “I have your back. We have your back. The country has your back. Be proud.”

The 22nd annual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder, trailblazing Virginia Delegate Danica Roem and Democratic candidate for Nevada Secretary of State Nelson Araujo also addressed the crowd of LGBTQ advocates and allies. Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway was honored with the HRC National Equality Award, which was presented to Hathaway by rapper, actress, and Ocean’s Eight co-star Awkwafina. Transgender advocate and artist Shea Diamond performed.

Related Posts

Best Spots to Celebrate Valentines, Galentines, or Have a Super Bowl Party on the Westside

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Cocktails, Game Day Grub, Valentine’s Pasta, and a Lonely Heart’s Tea Service You will find many excellent ways to celebrate...

FDA Issues High-Risk Recall for Pre-Packaged Broccoli Florets Sold at Walmart

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Recall Is Now Classified as Class I Due to Seriousness Of Contamination The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified...

Matū Kai Brings Its Signature Wagyu and Famous Cheesesteak to Brentwood

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Team Behind Beverly Hills’ Acclaimed Matū Is Opening a Second Location One of Beverly Hills’s newest and most popular restaurants,...

West Hollywood’s Drag Story Hour Returns for 2025 Season This Week

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Family-Friendly Storytelling Series Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion The City of West Hollywood will launch its 2025 season of Drag Story...

Free Narcan to Combat Opioid Overdoses Available at the West Hollywood Library

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips Are Available With No Payment or ID  In response to a rise in fentanyl and...

Influencer Florence Mirsky Responds After Her Racist Rant Is Caught in Video Footage

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Viral Footage Shows Mirsky Using Slurs and Berating Valet Workers in Beverly Hills Influencer and cannabis entrepreneur Florence Mirsky, who...

 State Farm Seeks Emergency Rate Hike, Citing Wildfire Losses—Consumer Advocates Push Back

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Insurer Requests up to a 38% Rate Increase, but Critics Call It an Unjustified Cash Grab In a press release...

(Video) Los Angeles Marathon Returns For 40th Anniversary

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Register at mccourtfoundation.org Register at https://t.co/JUuzwhVeun pic.twitter.com/3m3wiyoBm4 — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) February 4, 2025

CCPD Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing Elderly Man with Dementia Last Seen in Culver City

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Resident Last Seen on Washington Boulevard, Public Urged to Report Any Sightings Culver City’s Police Department is asking for the...

Los Angeles County Ramps Up Storm Protections in Fire Burn Areas As Two Storms Approach

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Officials Install Flood Barriers and Urge Residents To Prepare As a storm system approaches California this week, Los Angeles County...

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar Make History at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Beyoncé Wins Album of the Year, Kendrick Lamar Sweeps Five Categories The 2025 GRAMMY Awards delivered a night of historic...

Chappell Roan Wins Best New Artist at the 2025 GRAMMYs, Calls for Fair Pay in the Music Industry

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Queer Pop Star Delivers Heartfelt Speech on Artist Wages and Healthcare  Chappell Roan won the Best New Artist Award at...

High-End Beverly Hills Watch Dealer Sentenced to Over 5 Years for $5.6M Fraud

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

“The Timepiece Gentleman” Ran Luxury Watch Scheme, Defrauded Clients “The Timepiece Gentleman” was sentenced Wednesday to 70 months in federal...

Goop Owner Gwyneth Paltrow Takes a Loss on Brentwood Mansion, Sells for $22 Million

February 2, 2025

February 2, 2025

Oscar-Winning Actress Originally Listed the Estate for Nearly $30 Million in May Actress and wellness entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow has sold...

Former Beverly Hills Mansion of Hollywood’s Most Private Star Now for Rent for $45K

February 2, 2025

February 2, 2025

Iconic Estate in Beverly Crest Is Now Available for Purchase and Lease Old Hollywood’s most mysterious star’s home is back...