Joe Biden: ‘Right to decide who you love is basic human right’
By Josh Haggis
US Vice President Joe Biden has spoken out about gay rights in America – watch below.
The Vice President was speaking at the Human Rights Convention in Los Angeles yesterday (March 22) when he made the comments. He was there to discuss the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would make it illegal for any workplace to discriminate against someone on the basis of their sexuality.
Urging Congress to pass the legislation, Biden said: “Imagine, 20 years from now, as America look back and say how in the hell could that have ever been allowed? The country’s moved on. The American people have moved on, it’s time for the Congress to move on, and pass ENDA.”
He continued: “If you think about it, it’s outrageous we’re even debating this subject. I mean it’s almost beyond belief that today, in 2014, I could say to you, as your employee in so many states, you’re fired, because of who you love. I mean think about that. It is bizarre, no-no-no, it really is. I don’t even think most Americans even know that employers can do that.”
He then added: “The single most basic of all human rights is the right to decide who you love. Hate can never, never be defended because it’s a so called cultural norm. I’ve had it up here with cultural norms… There’s never a justification for a government or individual politician to play off the bigotry and hatred.”
President Obama and Vice President Biden have been open regarding their support for gay rights in the US. In 2012, Obama became the first sitting President to endorse gay marriage.
>Most Americans now support gay marriage, says survey
Watch Biden’s speech below:
[youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFXz2DMrU-c[/youtube]