♪

>> next, vice president biden at the human rights dinner. then, a discussion of the congressional agenda and then a senate hearing on aircraft carriers. of the 19th annual

human rights campaign national dinner that was held last night. a civil rights organization working to reese -- achieve equality. biden was ant speaker. ceo, invitations to apple tim cook and actress ellen page. this is just over one hour. [applause] vice pres. biden: good evening.

thank you very much. thank you very much. [applause] vice pres. biden: please, thank you very much. as adlai stevenson once said flattery is fine as long as you don't inhale. i am here with a bunch of members of our administration, who by the way may be the smartest person i know, lisa jackson, and scores of people in the administration, with a record number of algae bt appointees, ambassadors, and senior white house staff. lgbt appointees, ambassadors, and senior white house staff. thank you for that introduction. a number of you have said to me over the last three to four years, thank you very much. no, didn't say that. [laughter]

vice president biden: anyway, what was i saying? [applause] i have been thanked for speaking up apparently out of turn on meet the press. but you know, i want to make something clear and i mean this sincerely. some of you credit me with taking political risks for -- or thought i was doing something special. i was just answering in a straightforward, direct way, what i have known all my whole life. i mean this, it is based on a proposition best expressed by my dad to me when i was 17. he was driving me into town into the town square called rodney square surrounded by corporate buildings, hercules corporation and the dupont company, dropping me off so that i could run in

and get an application to be a lifeguard in the city swimming pool system. we were at a light before it changed, i was about to get out and i look to my right and there were two very well dressed conservatively dressed men who embraced each other and kissed and walked in different directions, to their jobs i assume. i remember turning and looking back at my dad. i will never forget what my dad said to me. he said joe, they are in love with each other. it's that simple. [applause] it has always been that simple for me and those who were raised by people like my dad. so there wasn't any chance i was taking, it was just about who i

think most americans are. but the speed with which things have changed from 2012 to today for marriage equality, where all marriages recognized in all 50 states is not because of any national figure that spoke out. not because of any of the celebrities that you will have standing before you tonight and have stood before you for so long. it is because of all of you and thousands of faceless people like you who have had the courage to stand up and speak. speak their hearts and minds. the american people are so much better than their leaders give them credit for. not only did all of you, by the chances you have taken in your careers and life, not only did you set your love free, you heard me say this before.

you set free millions of straight men and women. you have freed them from the stigma they feared. if they spoke up and defended their lesbian or gay or bisexual or transgender brothers and sisters, friends, college roommates. i believe from the beginning that not only did the social disapprobation keep people from coming forward, but it also inhibited tens of millions of straight people from coming forward to support. but as i said back in 2012, the vast majority of the american people agreed with me and what i

said and have agreed with you for a long time before then. so you left the supreme court absolutely no choice whatsoever. i mean it. but to recognize the simple proposition my father taught me 50 years ago. we also know it wasn't simple for so many who went before us, just like chad did i want to take a moment to recognize the people i assume are in this room and some who are no longer in this room. all of you, all of those who came before us, from stonewall to today. harvey milk, matthew shepard gave his life. so many others. -- so, so, so many others. not only did so many of you do

so much more than anything, you did something that was but only at the time in the moment consequential. you showed up. you showed enormous courage. in many cases, physical courage. physical courage. you risk your jobs. your livelihoods. you're very physical well-being. recognize for a moment where we are and what you did, what was done, and realized that the great arc of justice is a journey of this nation and it continues to move in the right direction and we are moving closer to animating the spirit of america because of all of you. not me. because of all of you. [applause] we become more of what america was meant to be. all men are created equal, all have a right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. we said so often that it takes on a meaning and loses meaning.

the very fact that we finally recognize that it is not a political matter, it is a basic -- love is not a political matter, it is a basic human right. the fact that we recognize that is because of you. jim and all the plaintiffs in historic lawyers and judges. jim, i can't see them but i know you're here and i know john is with you, like he is every day. and tim cook. what does tim cook do by being so open? what he does, he makes young kids in the classroom, remember when you are in the classroom, worrying?

why am i so different? how are people going to look at me? can i do what everybody else can do? and you look and see a man like tim cook, who has turned the world upside down, who understands that equality is not only a moral imperative but it is the heart of our economic might and dynamism. giving so much encouragement to so many brilliant young women and men in the lgbt community. ellen page, gifted actress. take the limelight on her and shines it on something bigger than herself. by the way, ellen -- you won that debate at the iowa state fair. you won. there was a clear winner in iowa. [applause]

i know we have said it over and over again in the last 50 years. hope will never be silenced, as harvey said. you and your predecessors have always had hope. you have always spoken out. as i said good and decent americans were exposed to who you were and what their responsibility was. i want to pay tribute to the women and men who have taken great risk and had the courage to change things. you have changed the world in which my grandchildren will grow up, all for the better. no, you have. you have. we owe them and you. and i know now that what i do

-- knew then, the american people are with us. after i had that interview on meet the press and some people were not happy, i made a point. i said you guys are out of step, the american people are already there. here's what i want to get to you. so much, there are still those shrill voices in the national political arena trying to undo what has finally been done, but they will not succeed. don't worry about it. no, no really. i mean this sincerely. the american people have moved so far beyond them. and the appeals to prejudice and fear and, phobia -- homophobia and because of how far you have moved the american people. i promise you, we will come much more quickly and more surely, it will increase in its rapidity, the change that we need. i strongly support the equality

act and it will pass. it will pass. it may not pass this congress, but it will pass because it is simple and straightforward. the american people think the law already prevents an employer from firing someone because they are lgbt. the american people already think it is illegal to deny new housing. the american people already think what the act calls for. the problem is they don't know that it is still legal in so many places. the one way, if you could change this overnight, would be to

infuse in every mind in america that there are still 40 -- excuse me, 31 states that can deny you employment and housing, etc. look, i am not your staff but i am kind of like your staff. here's the deal, i told this to chad. a lot of you are successful women and men. put your money into advertising. let them know it is illegal in their state to deny someone a job based on this. let them know. the american people are all ready with you. look at the numbers. there are homophobes still left. most of them are running for president. [applause]

sen. biden: for the first piece of change is information. i really mean this. people are stunned as i go around the country and talk about how you can be married at 9:00 and fired at noon. try it, ask them. they look at you and say that is not possible. i really mean it. calling the people in each of the states as demand changes that they think is a really peopleing on all these in each of these states to demand change they think has already happened is not going to

be as hard as you think. we have made great progress in don't ask don't tell. we are proud of the fact that so many members of the lgbt community are willing to risk their lives and serve their country and many have given their lives for their country. in july, when i said, and i wasn't making a profound statement, i said transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time. it took the sector of defense 10 minutes in july 2015 to say transgender people are able to serve in the united states military. [applause] ash carter is a decent man and said they should be able to serve in the military, it is simple. all americans who are qualified to serve physically should be able to serve. as i said last year, transgender rights are the civil rights issue. there is so much more to do. there are 680,000 homeless young lgbt people. half are homeless because they were rejected by their families.

i can't think of anything that would be more sad. we have also decided that finally put an end to changing the immigration laws. there are nearly one million lgbt adult immigrants living in the shadows. unconscionable rectus of conversion therapy. it must and. -- it just must end. it just must end. [applause] as you have pointed out, we need to deal with the disparities of hiv treatment and prevention for black gay men and transgendered women. it has to be a focus.

it's also necessary to make up for some past transgressions. that is why the president and i are working on all those who were dishonorably discharged because they were members of the lgbt community. should have their discharge changed from "dishonorable" to "honorable." these are things -- these are things because of you we are already doing. [applause] more and more of our heros are getting honorable discharges they rightly earned another -- and other heroes are being denied same-sex partners because their colleague, lover, husband, wife was shot dead serving the public. [applause] imagine, we have to fight over that. folks, as we've been advocating for a long time we can have one

-- we can't have one standard in america and not insist on that standard worldwide. folks, my colleagues constantly point out what i'm always saying. this is the hallmark of the obama administration. we should not only lead by the power of example, we should lead by the example of our power. both of them. the power of our example is more profound in the impact it has on the world than even our military. there is no cultural justification for prosecuting, persecuting, putting in jail the lgbt community in any country anywhere in the world. [applause] but the ugly fact is in 80 countries it is a crime to

simply be gay. our foreign policy will determine, will reflect our disdain for this perverted cultural norms. that is why secretary john kerry created the first special envoy for human rights of lgbt persons this past february. [applause] it can never be just or supported in the basic human rights are the foundations for our society. that is why people look to us. there is a basic human rights issue concerning us all. it's not the subject of this meeting. that is the freedom to be free of violence. whether the hand of another person or the bullet of a gun. [applause] [cheers] this week in oregon we were shocked once again by senseless

gun violence. like many of you i was angry and frustrated. when i wrote the crime bill in 1994 we had legislation, tough legislation related to background checks. the type of weapon to be owned, the size of a magazine you can put in a gun and possess. the bush administration eliminated all those gun policies which in no way violated the second amendment. after sandy hook the president asked me to draw up a series of legislative and executive proposals.

over 9-% of the american people in every poll agree with those rational proposals that we put forward. according to recent polls, 93% of the american people agree we should have universal background checks. and consider this, 93% of households with a legal gun believe we should have universal background checks. it's an overwhelming majority of americans but a decided minority is stopping the passage of rational proposals. everything from the size of a magazine to background checks. the president and i were told not to speak of this because we can't get it passed. we should not talk about things that will not pass in this congress. i will continue to speak until it is passed. the history of the journey of this country is always ultimately in the direction of rational policy to expand rights and protect the lives. i ask you on this matter as well, we need you to speak up. we need to speak up.

let me close where i began. i am taking too much time and i apologize. let me close where i began. when my dad turned to me and said joe, it is simple. they love each other. i'm often asked as a supporter of women's rights, of lgbt rights. what constitutes success? when will we know there is success? in april 2012, i was in the home

of michael lombardo and sonny ward and their two children in los angeles. i was speaking to prominent members of the community. i was answering questions in their living room. a young man standing against the wall asked me the most plaintiff plaintive question i've ever been asked in my political career. about 40 minutes and a question and he looked at me and he said, mr. vice president, what do you think of me? it was like somebody hit with a

baseball bat. that he would feel he had asked what do you think of me? that young men was chad. it was the first time we ever met. it was a simple, straightforward, profound question. it was seared into my mind what so many of you had to confront and put up with your whole lives. what do you think of me? my answer is what will constitute success. under no circumstances, no gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person ever has to ask that question. what do you think of me? [cheers] that day is within our reach because of you. you give us hope. you are never silent. together we can change not only this country but the whole world. god bless you and may god bless our troops. [cheers] >> and thank you.

this year, the person i had the pleasure of introducing tonight made headlines when he spoke his truth to the world. he said it in a beautiful and gay fall way, that's being -- heartfelt way than to being gay was one of the greatest gifts god had given them. my mind no doubt in that his courage and those words saved lives. community fails to a wave of more than 120 lgbt bills in states that target us because of how we are, how god made us, tim cook spoke up again. [applause] the company he leads today as one of the first in the nation to and doors the equality act.

and, time and time again, tim has been willing to use his remarkable boys for good. those in our community who need it the most. that is why we are proud, so proud to honor him tonight with the visibility our lord. [applause] tim grew up in the south. a native alabamians. alabama is in the house. while california is a long way the valuesble belt, instilled in him from an early integrity, decency, and treating people with the respect at theserve, that is core of who he is.

i have gotten to know tim over years and i have learned he feels passionately about leaving this world a better place the and he pounded. it is what he calls his true north. as a result of his leadership, apple today is readily credited with some of the most impactful this is in the world when it comes to consumer privacy, and environmental responsibility, diversity, and inclusion. his courage, his career, and his leadership at apple show lgbtq shouldthat they can and dream as big as their mind will allow. now, let's take a look at one of some of his -- at what some of his friends and colleagues have to say about him. welcome back everybody, my

next guest is the ceo of apple and one of the most influential of 2015, please welcome mr. tim cook. came out as gay recently, was that just a feature that had not been turned on? [laughter] >> he is a champion for all people. knowing that the leader of the company i work for, the boss's boss's boss is fighting for those who have been disenfranchised makes the beyond proud. >> tim is a courageous person who has spoken truth to power, and a person who wants to live the values that mean the most to him. >> everyone deserves a basic level of human rights,

regardless of their color, regardless of their religion, regardless of their sexual orientation, regardless of the gender. >> there is residents when a corporate leader speaks up on an issue. when you're the head of the largest company and the most innovative company and probably the most culturally significant company in the world, the most followed company in the world, it resonates so much more widely. >> it is about finding your values and committing to live by them. >> tim sacrificed his privacy to ensure the generation of young people matter, whoever they are. >> people are drawn to authenticity, to people who are true to themselves. i may not like it, i may not like you, but i like you are standing for something. >> when you hear someone like tim cook saying that is who i am, it gives people the strength

and courage. >> the whole point of being vulnerable is to inspire others to be vulnerable, too. for time to, in such a beautiful way, and brace himself, it gives everyone else permission to embrace themselves. and he do great ceo, make apple different. it's not bad to be different. ♪ tim being very honest with the world about who he is challenges the status quo. i think examples like tim give people hope. thinking of my experience as a kid growing up to trying, desperately, to find someone i could aspire to be.

today, kids around the world have him. >> tim, from the bottom of my heart, congratulations. >> on behalf of my family, congratulations on this great honor. >> this is an honor well-deserved. >> from all your friends in the heart of dixie, congratulations. >> i would like to take one photo. this is the best view in the world. >> the best is yet to come. when it comes to tim and what he is going to do, and the impact he will have in so many areas. ♪ >> please join me in welcoming, this year's visibility award recipient, apple ceo tim cook. applause]d

tim: thank you. thank you. i love to see the iphones. thank you. thank you for the incredibly generous introduction and for everyone in that video. chad, thank you even more for your incredible leadership of the human rights campaign. you have been president for -- three years?

think what happened. a bold initiative with project one in the south. the right to marriage equality grounded in the constitution and upheld by the supreme court. even a rainbow flag projected on the white house. [cheers and applause] i cannot wait to see what you have for number four. biden, thank you for your kind words. it is an honor to share the stage with you tonight. you showed tremendous political courage on the question of marriage equality, and no one in this room, or this country will ever forget it. [cheers and applause] i am honored to be here this evening, and i am proud to be a part of this community.

i also want to recognize my coworkers hear from apple. they represent the many talented people who make up our company more than 100,000 individuals from all walks of life, were dedicated to making the best products on earth and believe we should leave the world better than we found it. we do that through our products and policies. we do that through our partnerships with organizations like the hrc. we have been proud to stand with you in the fight for equal rights. we were proud to stand with you against the wave of pro-discrimination bills. we were proud to celebrate with you on that momentous ruling in june. [cheers and applause]

it was a rare and special moment to watch our nation turned back a page in the history books. it marked a victory for a quality, perseverance and love. it also inspires us to keep up the fight. last year, around this time as some of you might remember, i wrote an essay that was deeply personal. i wanted to lend my voice to people who might not be ready to exercise theirs. it was an open letter to the public, but it was addressed most of all to everyone who had been rejected by their friends, or communities, or even their families, simply because of who they are. i will tell you, i did not do it for attention. i am a private person by nature. growing up, i was taught that

you distinguish yourself and life by what you do, not buy what you say or how loudly you say it. sometimes, you just have to be loud. [cheers and applause] people need to hear that being gay is not a limitation. people need to hear that being gay does not restrict your options in life. that you cano hear be gay or transgender and be whatever else you want to in life. a ceo or senator, and a lithic athlete, -- an olympic athlete, an award-winning actor or actress, an amazing husband, life, father or other. i thought that was worth sharing. the response over this year has been overwhelming, and i have

been deeply humbled. i have heard from people of all ages, all over the world, in all kinds of circumstances. some struggling with how to open up, others wishing that they could do more to help their loved ones. some people have written and said it is the first time they have discussed their sexual orientation with anyone. say they had always thought there was a glass ceiling they would never break through in their careers. stories, shared painful stories, of feeling less than, other than, left out, pushed out. they are all stories that all of us know. for they are our stories, too. some of the most touching notes i received are from parents who love their children more than

anything, and cannot bear to see them struggle for acceptance. some of the most hopeful notes are from folks who are just happy to see the world changing for the better. i want to share one of them with you tonight from a man in oregon. a vietnam veteran. i hope thatm, someday people will look at announcements such as yours and greet them with a young. -- yawn. we should simply accept people as who they -- for who they are as citizens for being good human beings and for enhancing our lives in doing their best. isn't that the american way? [cheers and applause] it is of course. it is profoundly american, but it is still in so many ways an aspiration.

we are closer than ever to the days martin luther king dreamed of when his children would only be judged by the content of their character. yet,day is not here because 31 states, more than half the stars on our american flag have no laws to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination. no state legal protection from being fired or is acted because of who you are or who you love. that day is not here yet, kids are still being told they will never amount to anything. or get sent to reparative therapy for a cure. brink ofllied to the suicide. believinghed into they are somehow defective when they are just the way that god made them.

whenday is not here yet some people claim exemption from what is written in the no state shallat deny americans the equal protection of the law. that day is not here. year, i wrote that being gay is a gift. or as stephen colbert put it, a feature. [laughter] i don't know about you, but it has given me, through my life experience, tremendous insight and empathy for the struggle of other groups marching for inequality. [cheers and applause] lgbtess knows, the community is not the only ones facing inequality at work, at school, or in renting an apartment, or adopting a child. the way i look at this is simple.

anyoneination against holds everyone back. everyone. [cheers and applause] as all of us know, discrimination doesn't simply fade. it does not recede of its own accord. it has to be pushed back, challenged, overcome and kept at bay. that requires determination. that requires vigilance. hrc has a great deal of both. i said earlier that partnership was essential. that is certainly true in the next phase of this fight. we don't get to know which sigel -- civil rights struggles are on the horizon, but we do know that for a quality to triumph, it will take advocates and activists like hrc and global

companies like apple. and applee a role, will continue to play our role by remaining open to everyone. [cheers and applause] regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they worship, or who they love. we will continue to create products that empower people and bring them together. and continue to pursue policies that advance inclusion and ever city. -- and diversity. will continue to partner with you. i urge everyone here tonight to keep talking, to keep pushing, and yes, to keep fighting for a world where everyone is treated equally. pave, together, we will the sunlit path to justice. thank you very much for this

generous award. [cheers and applause] ♪ god! [cheers and applause] i love you. washington, d.c. rocks. i love you, thank you. lucky andcited and so so grateful to be here tonight. funny,w what is really is that i am so tall that i cannot read the teleprompter so i have to take my high heels

off. [laughter] i'm not even kidding. get a pedicure, i hope you cannot see my toes. don't pan down. i am so excited to be here tonight, it has been so long since i have been here. plane and i went into a time or, and i ran to the west wing to hug jed bartlet and iran into frank underwood -- and i ran into frank underwood. i was grateful i did not run into trump. did i say that out loud? day grew so much better when i remember. the real reason i am here tonight is to honor ellen page. [cheers and applause] rights campaign

vanguard award. i have had the personal pleasure of working with alan on -- ellen , on and off screen. acting with her is a pure joy. she is incredibly present, accessible, generous, and my favorite trait in any person, she doesn't take herself too seriously, which i love. whenever i spend time with her offscreen, i always leave her feeling that i am a better person, that i have learned something from her that she has taught me about the world, the beauty in the world. and she is such an amazing grateful toi am so have her in my life. is profound.nce

huge.art is her willingness to put herself out there, to expose injustice, at times at great risk to her own personal safety is nothing short of inspiring. she is truly one of those individuals in my life and in yours who lives the truth about who she is, and who she loves. [applause] us all with her enthusiasm, her compassion, and above all her authenticity. especiallyths and s, struggling with their identities and feelings in a world that can be so cruel, intimidating and cautious, ellen is a powerful inspiration.

her willingness to speak her truth, and to confront injustice against lgbtq people has made her a remarkable role model, and i cannot think of anybody more deserving of a national vanguard award. year, a very last memorable valentine's day. the human rights campaign joined with the national education foundation and the american counseling association to launch nation'sthrive," the first large-scale conference to promote safety, inclusion and well-being for lgbtq youth. gathering, ellen page took to the stage and for the very first time introduced herself fully to the world, and the world embraced her. how do we know that?

her remarks were downloaded on video over 5 million times in the next 48 hours. take a look. >> ready? >> it's something, isn't it? ♪ >> i just want to tell you all that you are my heroes. >> looking good, barbie. ♪ >> your parents are probably

wondering where you are. >> i am a ready pregnant, so what other shenanigans can i get into? ♪ >> playtime is over. >> that's the dream. , i woman idreams love who loves me. ♪ >> here i am, an actress representing at least in some sense an industry that places crushing standards on all of us. i am here today, because i am and i am tired of hiding i'm tired of lying by omission. i suffered for years because i was scared to be out. my mental health suffered. my relationships suffered. i'm standing here today with all

of you on the other side of that page. ♪ hrchen i was doing the conference they were talking about how important it is for young lgbt people in this world of social media, and it can be great for people who feel isolated. >> for me, i feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. lgbt people and be fired for just being gay or just being trans. that is legal, how do you feel about that? that doesn't sound very american to me. >> maybe i can make a toference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. i am young, yes. but what i have learned is that

love, the beauty of it, the joy of it and even the pain of it, is the most incredible gift to give and receive as a human being. thank you. [applause] alison: please join me in welcoming to the stage this year's human rights campaign vanguard honore, my giant and beautiful friend, ellen page. [cheers and applause] ♪

ellen: allison, thank you for taking the time to be here tonight. it is rare to meet someone who is as kind, deeply sensitive and generous as you. i am fortunate to call you my

friend. [cheers and applause] ellen: thank you so much for this. i am deeply moved, honored and grateful for this recognition. i have received so much support from the hrc and so many others. i cannot begin to express how much that means to me. [applause] i can proudly stand here tonight and tell you that since valentine's day last year, i am very, very happy. [cheers and applause] i finally feel that i am truly living my life. [applause] there was a time when i thought that it would be impossible to

be out. ago, with the help of your love and support, i shared my story. everything changed for me. i am still feeling the effects of that moment today. i know how lucky i am to be in this position. i acutely remember the pain i was in before i was out. to experience a lot of things for the first time in the last 1.5 years. [applause] having my arms wrapped around my girlfriend samantha while we walked on the street. [cheers and applause] hand on the red carpet. kissing her in the ocean why we surfed.

yes, she has taught me to surf. public, ig to say, in am in love. [cheers and applause] an authentic life should not be something we feel we must fight for. it is the countless lgbt individuals who have struggled and persevered throughout history and organizations like the hrc that allow me to live and love freely today. this year, we saw the supreme court rule in favor of marriage equality. [applause] truly brave and courageous people that have fought tirelessly for equality. many of whom are in this room, and i am humbled to be in your presence.

for all the progress we have peoplehere are too many living in pain and fear. this year, i have traveled around the world with vice and with my best friend ian, to explore what it means to be a member of the lgbt community and different parts of the world. i have had the great fortune to meet some of the most brave and inspiring people i have ever come across. and to their stories, have the opportunity to learn from such remarkable people -- it has been a life-changing experience. it has made me even more aware of my privilege. it has become increasingly apparent to me that we all need to use our influence, whatever it may be, to help others. [applause]

crucial, actually, because the members of our community who are the most vulnerable have, and continue to experience, a far more difficult time in our society. expectancy of transgender women of color in this country is 35, and 40% of homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, we still have so much work to do. [applause] we are so far from true equality, when in 31 states, lgbt people can be fired or denied housing strictly because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. no longer should a child grow up feeling they have to hide who they are and suffer the

consequences that come with shame. the ripple affects of intolerance are catastrophic. i have hope that this will change. that the future brings true equality. 2015,has been proven in love wins. [cheering and applause] i feel honored to share the responsibility of being a visible person for the community. i have had many moments since coming up where young people have come up to me to share how moved they were by the speech i gave. how it gave them the courage to come out. needless to