Biden At NYC Event: Much More Needs To Be Done For LGBT Civil Rights
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden said in New York Thursday that more still needs to be done to protect LGBT Americans.
Biden spoke Thursday at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St., at an event put on by the group Freedom to Marry.
As WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, Biden spoke in favor of gay marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States, and even before President Barack Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage in 2012.
Biden At NYC Event: Much More Needs To Be Done For LGBT Civil Rights
"This is civil rights of our day," Biden said Thursday. "It's the issue of our day."
Biden has many fans at Freedom to Marry with his strong stance in favor of gay rights.
"He's one of my heroes," said Paulette Dalpes.
But Biden said there is still more to be done, and said federal officials will continue to fight for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"There are still 32 states where marriage can be recognized in the morning and you can be fired in the afternoon," Biden said.
Biden said he believes many don't even realize the laws that allow people to be fired for their sexual orientation exist.
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