June 4, 2023 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

LA Pride Announces Three Grand Marshals For The 2023 LA Pride Parade

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Comedian Margaret Cho, Actor Leslie JordanThe ACLU Named As Grand Marshalls Christopher Street West Association (CSW), the esteemed 501(c)3 nonprofit...

The Dodgers Reinstate LGBTQ+ Group’s Invitation and Honor At Dodger Pride Night

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence Accepted The Baseball Team’s Apology By Dolores Quintana This morning, The Los Angeles Dodgers issued...

Disneyland Welcomes Official ‘Pride Nite’

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Part Of The Park’s Disneyland After Dark Series Of Events By Susan Payne Disneyland is holding its first official LGBTQ...

Latino Equality Alliances Awards $20,000 To College-Bound Students

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Eight Scholarships Went To Low-Income LGBTQ+ Scholars By Susan Payne Throughout the nation, LGBTQ+ and trans rights are being challenged...

Drag March Rally in Weho Amasses Thousands

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Inclusivity and Diversity Take Center Stage at Weho’s Drag March, Drawing Thousands to the Streets By Susan Payne Santa Monica...

Coalition of Faith Communities Stand Against Anti-Transgender Agenda

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne At an All Saints Church in Pasadena lrecently, a coalition of faith communities discussed concerns about a...

Ricky Martin presents 2023 GLAAD Vanguard Award to Bad Bunny

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne During the GLAAD Media Awards this spring, Bad Bunny was honored with the Vanguard Award presented by...

Timothy Dean Family Seeks Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ed Buck

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

By Susan Payne Judgment before trail is at request of the three sisters of Timothy Dean, who died in the...

Food, Music, and Philanthropy: Taste of Home Festival Hits Los Angeles on April 29th

April 13, 2023

April 13, 2023

Food festival planned for April 29 in Hollywood The Taste of Home Festival offers a unique experience that goes beyond...

Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts Drag March in Protest of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

Over 1,000 Angelenos to rally for rights on Easter Sunday Los Angeles, April 04 – The Los Angeles LGBT Center...

WeHo ‘Rainbow Mile’ Runners Amass 20K in Marathon

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne Nearly 20,000 runners gathered in West Hollywood for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Marathon, referred to as...

Outed MMA Fighter Jeff Molina Comes out as Bisexual

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne UFC bantamweight Jeff Molina, known as “El Jefe,” in the octagon, was outed on social media and...

House Digest Reports Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities in California

April 2, 2023

April 2, 2023

By Susan Payne California, with its exceptionally high LGBTQ+ populations and progressive economic, educational and social policies, was rated by...

High-Profile Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami Enters Race for Los Angeles District Attorney

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

Hatami, a prosecutor in the Complex Child Abuse Unit at the Hall of Justice in downtown LA, has been vocal...

Long Beach Businesses with LGBTQ Flags Vandalized

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

By Susan Payne Three businesses in Long Beach have reported windows smashed in with one common denominator: visible LGBTQ symbols. ...