Joe Biden Describes Lack Of LGBT Equality In U.S. As “Close To Barbaric,” Calls On Congress To Pass ENDA
Speaking before an audience of approximately 1,000 people in Los Angeles, Vice President Joe Biden delivered a speech at the annual Human Rights Campaign dinner and expressed his outrage about the lack of LGBT equality in some states.
Biden asked Congress to immediately pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, describing the lack of prohibition on anti-LGBT workplace discrimination as “close to barbaric.”
“The single most basic of all human rights is the right to decide who you love,” he told the crowd of LGBT people and supporters. “It’s the single basic building block…it is. It is the single most important human right that exist… and hate, hate can never, never be defended because it’s a so called cultural norm. I’ve had it up here with cultural norms.”
The VP also noted that he’s traveled to most countries in the world, including 80 where it’s illegal to be gay. “I can tell you, they’re looking to us as an example, as a champion of LGBT rights everywhere,” he said.
Watch the full speech below.