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Remarks: Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg Deliver Remarks Commemorating Pride Month - June 25, 2021
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Joe Biden Person
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Pete Buttigieg Person
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Ashton Mota Person
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Here we are, but we have such a long way to go. Person
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At that age, I had never even heard the term LGBT, let alone begun to realize that any of this had a Person
Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:00:00-00:00:29 (30 sec)
"Good afternoon. Please be seated. First of all, thanks to everyone here for your leadership and your representation. Mr. President, thank you for your many years advocating LGBTQ-plus equality, and for everything you've done to assemble an administration that looks like America. And for all that he has done to help people see themselves in a new light of belonging and possibility, on a point of personal privilege, I'd like to recognize my husband, Chasten."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:00:29-00:01:06 (37 sec)
"Dr. Biden, an honor to be with you as well. Even for a cabinet member, I gotta tell you being in the East Room is not something you get to do every day, and certainly not often two days in a row. But about 24 hours ago, with enormous pride, I sat right about there and watched the president announced a bipartisan deal to make some of the most significant infrastructure investment in the history of the republic."
2
Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:01:06-00:01:37 (31 sec)
"And it felt good. I want to say that, whenever I'm in here, I always think about when I first saw this room, first saw these walls and -- and the paintings and the famous gold curtains, which of course was on TV, like everybody else, on a small TV set in South Bend, Indiana. I watched TV as much as any other kid growing up in the '90s, maybe watched the news a little more than most kids, and learned a lot about how the world works."
3
Pete Buttigieg
Very Negative
00:01:37-00:02:00 (23 sec)
"I remember being 15 and seeing stories about President Clinton's nominee for an ambassadorship who couldn't even get a vote in the Senate because he was gay. I remember at 16 looking at that same television set and seeing the face of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten and left to die because he was gay."
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Pete Buttigieg
Neutral
00:02:00-00:02:00 ( sec)
"At that age, I had never even heard the term LGBT, let alone begun to realize that any of this had..."
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Pete Buttigieg
Leans Positive
00:02:00-00:02:30 (30 sec)
"But I watch the news, and I learned. I learned that being LGBTQ-plus was something that could cost you your job, could cost you your life. Not that long ago, when -- well within the lifetimes of many people in this room, being outed could be disqualifying from public service, any public service, not just being a cabinet officer or a member of the military, but being a bookkeeper or an astronomer for the federal government."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:02:30-00:03:18 (48 sec)
"I wasn't here for those days, but I became a military officer under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," ran for office in Indiana, time and again facing that choice between service and love, between duty and self, my whole self. And yet today, here I am, here you are, here we are, standing in the East Room in the company of the president of the United States and the first lady, wishing each other happy Pride."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:03:18-00:03:41 (24 sec)
"So, us even being here proves how much change is possible in America. So many lives have been changed, saved by the sustained advocacy, the moral resolve, the political courage of countless LGBTQ-plus leaders and allies, some elected, some invisible, some long gone, some in this room right now."
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Pete Buttigieg
Neutral
00:03:41-00:03:41 ( sec)
"Here we are, but we have such a long way to go."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Negative
00:03:41-00:04:03 (22 sec)
"Around the world, LGBTQ-plus people face discrimination in danger, especially in some of the same countries were democracy itself has been on the back foot lately. And here in the United States, many basic protections still do not exist. Rates of violence, especially against black transwomen, are shocking and disproportionate."
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Pete Buttigieg
Neutral
00:04:03-00:04:28 (25 sec)
"And researchers found that last year two in five, two in five LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide. There have been great leaps forward in this country, but there are reminders everywhere about what it looks like to move backward, not just in shocking acts of violence like the pulp -- Pulse shooting that this country now rightly commemorate, but in the everyday grind of politics as rights and equality come up for debate."
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Pete Buttigieg
Somewhat Negative
00:04:28-00:04:51 (23 sec)
"There is an especially dangerous political strategy arising in some states right now as some politicians try to gain advantage by picking on transgender kids, some of the most vulnerable people in this country. There are consequences when politicians and other leaders respond to transgender people's search for equality and belonging by basically denying that someone can be transgender at all."
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Pete Buttigieg
Neutral
00:04:51-00:05:22 (31 sec)
"Telling America that transgender people do not exist amounts to telling very real transgender people that they should not exist. And if you are a person in a position of responsibility, you need to understand the weight of your words. You need to understand that if you go around signaling to people that transgender youth shouldn't exist, transgender youth will hear you and some of them will believe you."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:05:22-00:05:46 (24 sec)
"So, this is a matter of life and death, and supporting and celebrating our LGBTQ-plus community is a matter of compassion and decency, and it's a matter of national character, bearing on the question of whether this really can be a country of liberty and justice for all. And I am proud to work for president and an administration that believes in that more decent and equal America."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:05:46-00:06:50 (64 sec)
"It's reflected in the very makeup of this administration, full of extraordinary out public servants, including Dr. Rachel Levine. So many talented people whose gifts, whose gifts would not have been available to the American people not long ago. And when it comes to policy, the Biden-Harris administration is working for that better America every day, from ending the trans military ban to vigorous executive action against discrimination and harassment, to this White House's strong and unequivocal -- unequivocal support for the Equality Act, which must pass, and we thank the congressional leaders here for making sure that that's going to happen."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Negative
00:06:50-00:07:07 (17 sec)
"So, to everyone in this room that everyone out there around the country and -- or even -- even around the world, to those youth who wonder whether they belong, and especially to those for whom doubt or fear or danger mean you still can't live fully as your true self, know that a whole lot of us have your back starting at the top."
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Pete Buttigieg
Very Positive
00:07:07-00:07:49 (43 sec)
"And yes, happy Pride. So, with that, speaking of our amazing youth, I have the privilege of introducing to you and extraordinary young man, somebody who's strength and advocacy and courage can inspire us all. Please welcome Ashton Mota."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:07:49-00:08:17 (28 sec)
"Thank you so much, Secretary Buttigieg. And good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ashton Mota. I use he/him pronouns, and I'm honored to be here with you all today. I'm a 16-year-old black, Afro-Latino high school student from Lowell, Massachusetts. I also happen to be transgender. This means that, while I was assigned female at birth, I've always known in my heart that I'm the young man standing here before you today."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:08:17-00:08:51 (34 sec)
"I transitioned just before the seventh grade. I decided to tell my mom on my 12th birthday. Yes, my birthday, because in my head I thought, well, she can't get mad at me on my birthday. [Laughter] I was scared because I didn't know how she would react, but she told me she loved me, that I was her child, and she would support me so I could be the person I was meant to be."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:08:51-00:09:31 (40 sec)
"My parents believed that me, my four siblings, and all children deserve to be loved and celebrated for who they are. Most people take having a loving home for granted. But for so many, including for my two -- including for two of my siblings, having a loving home can save lives. Ashton Mota"
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:09:31-00:09:57 (26 sec)
"I've been with my family for a little over two years, and I witnessed firsthand how surrounding them with love and love for -- and affirming who they are has allowed them to grow into the beautiful souls that they have always been. It's simple. When children are loved, we thrive. Because of the love and support I've received, I've become a proud advocate for the trans community."
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Ashton Mota
Slightly Negative
00:09:57-00:10:17 (19 sec)
"After I came out, I fought a bill in the Massachusetts legislature that would have harmed young transgender Americans. I also am a leader with the GenderCool Project, a nationwide movement that lifts up the positive stories of young transgender and non-binary people by showing people who we are not what we are."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:10:17-00:10:54 (37 sec)
"We are future software engineers, teachers, elected officials, and changemakers. These are the stories we tell. Most people have never met someone who is transgender, but when they meet us see us and hear a story, they realize we're just like all other young people. We sleep in late, we love spending time with our friends, and we make our communities better."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:10:54-00:11:24 (31 sec)
"The truth is that there are hundreds of thousands of transgender and non-binary young people like me who are thriving in our country. But today in America, the LGBTQ-plus community, especially transwomen of color, continue to face discrimination, homelessness and hate. And trans teenagers and kids like me, wake up to headline after headline about bill after bill that prevent us from joining a sports team, receiving health care, or even just using the bathroom."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:11:24-00:11:59 (34 sec)
"This is why passing the Equality Act is so important. It will give LGBTQ-plus people like me the opportunity to walk into the world as our true authentic selves without having to worry about discrimination just because of who we are or who we love. I want to thank President Biden for the protections his administration's has put in place for LGBTQ-plus people nationwide."
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Ashton Mota
Very Positive
00:11:59-00:13:01 (63 sec)
"While we know there's work to be done, these efforts are deeply meaningful to so many young people like me. President Biden has always stood up for his family. And I know he'll always stand up for my family too. Mr. President, thank you for having our back. It is my great honor to introduce to you the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:13:01-00:13:27 (26 sec)
"Well, my name is Joe Biden. I'm Jill Biden's husband. [Laughter] Ashton, thank you. You seemed awfully comfortable up here. [Laughter, Applause] You were awfully comfortable up here. I don't know. I -- I'm not sure I'll be around, but, you know -- [Laughter] -- if you're here, just don't pretend you don't know me."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:13:27-00:14:16 (49 sec)
"Okay? [Laughter] Your story, your leadership, and your mom is an inspiration. Your mom. If my mother were here, she'd look at you and say, "Honey, God love you, dear." God love you -- what you do, what you did, what you continue to do. I want to thank Secretary -- well, first of all, I want to say to Chasten: Belated happy birthday, Chasten. If you could hear us inside, we were singing happy birthday to him."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:14:16-00:14:51 (34 sec)
"We got a bunch of cupcakes, but not enough for everybody. [Laughter] But -- and, Mr. Secretary, thank you. You are -- you're the best, man. Look, our presence here this afternoon makes a simple, strong statement: Pride is back at the White House. For this community and for our nation and for the world, Pride Month represents so much."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:14:51-00:15:21 (30 sec)
"It stands for courage -- the courage of all those in previous generations and today who proudly live their truth. It stands for justice: both the steps we've taken and the steps we need to take. And above all, Pride Month stands for love -- you know, being able to love yourself, love whomever you love, and love this country enough to make it more fair and more free and more just."
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Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:15:21-00:15:48 (28 sec)
"You know, during the campaign, Tim Gill and Scott Miller -- and Tim -- one of them is here today, I don't want to embarrass him; he always gets mad when I do that -- [Laughter] -- brought me and Jill to visit the Stonewall Inn. I wanted to go, and they wanted -- they offered to take me. We wanted to pay tribute to that hallowed ground that represents the the fight to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:15:48-00:16:13 (24 sec)
"Just a few minutes ago, surrounded by the survivors of family members who were -- we've lost, I signed a bill consecrating another piece of hallowed ground: the Pulse nightclub. And I want to thank all of the members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate for standing up and making sure that will never be forgotten."
32
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:16:13-00:16:42 (30 sec)
"Never be forgotten. The site of the deadliest attack affecting the LBT -- LGBTQ+ community in American history. It's now a national memorial. This month, on the way to the office, I walk through -- from my -- from the Residence to the Oval Office every morning -- I walk through a hallway lit with rainbow colors of Pride, which you'll have a chance to see in just a few minutes."
33
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:16:42-00:17:09 (27 sec)
"You'll see a candle carried during the AIDS vigil in the early '90s by a pair -- and a pair of sandals belonging to Matthew Shepard. They're reminders of how much this community has suffered and lost. But they're also reminders of this community's incredible resiliency, the incredible contributions, the incred -- including, we just saw, the National Football League and the National Women's Soccer League."
34
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:17:09-00:17:47 (38 sec)
"All of you here -- Henry Muñoz and Kyle -- good to see you, man -- [Laughter]. I had the -- I had the opportunity to officiate at their wedding. [Laughter, Applause] And Representative Malcolm Kenyatta -- where are you, Malcolm? You're around here some -- good to see you, man. And Dr. Matt Miller -- they stole the show at the Democratic Convention. [Laughter] And my friend, Sarah McBride -- where is Sarah? Sarah?"
35
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
00:17:47-00:18:24 (37 sec)
"Sarah worked closely with my son, Beau, when he was Attorney General of the State of Delaware; and is now serving Delaware, as well, as one of the first openly transgender state legislators in history. Senator. You just heard from our history-making Secretary of Transportation. And we have today the first openly transgender person ever confirmed to the U.S. Senate -- you just met her -- Dr."
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Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:18:24-00:19:00 (36 sec)
"Levine. Representation matters. Recognition matters. But there's something else that matters: Results. Results. I am proud to lead the most pro-LGBTQ equality administration in U.S. history. And even on the very -- my very first day in office, the first executive order I signed was to change the whole of the federal government to commit to work aggressively to root out discrimination against LBT -- LGBTQ+ people and their families."
37
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:19:00-00:19:31 (30 sec)
"That was the first executive order. I ordered our agencies -- every agency -- to rapidly implement the Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock, which affirmed that civil rights protections on the basis of sex apply to sexual orientation and gender identity. And as a result of that executive order, the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that it would be -- take steps to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in housing, and ensured critical protections for transgender Americans experiencing homelessness."
38
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:19:31-00:20:08 (37 sec)
"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced it would work to combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in credit and lending. The Department of Health and Human Services announced it would protect against discrimination in healthcare services. And just last week, the Department of Education made clear that Title IX protections apply to sexual orientation and gender identity -- and prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ students in our nation's schools."
39
Joe Biden
Positive
00:20:08-00:20:35 (27 sec)
"And a moment ago, I signed an executive order to advance diversity, equality, and inclusion, and accessibility across the entire federal workforce. The order directs the entire federal government to eliminate barriers so people from every background and walk of life have an equal opportunity to serve our nation, including LGBTQ+ folks and all employees in underserved communities."
40
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:20:35-00:21:14 (39 sec)
"Look, I also was proud to rescind the discriminatory and un-American ban on openly transgender servicemembers. Today, we're joined by Lieutenant Colonel Bree Fram. Bree, Colonel -- thank you. One of the highest-ranking openly transgender servicemembers in the United States Military. Lieutenant Colonel Fram, thank you for your service to our nation."
41
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:14-00:21:34 (20 sec)
"We owe you. Thank you. And everyone who has served -- everyone deserves the absolute high quality of healthcare. That's why I was so pleased that, last week, Secretary McDonough announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is beginning the process to provide more comprehensive gender-affirming care to our nation's transgen -- for our nation's transgender veterans."
42
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
00:21:34-00:21:54 (20 sec)
"We're also making equality the centerpiece of our diplomacy around the world. We believe LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. In February, I signed a presidential memorandum establishing that it's the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
43
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:21:54-00:22:28 (34 sec)
"This month, Pride flags are flying -- as some of my friends in our last admin -- in the Obama-Biden administration who are openly gay -- they are flying in more than -- over 130 U.S. embassies around the world. A powerful -- a powerful symbol of our commitment to safety, dignity, and opportunity for all."
44
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:22:28-00:22:56 (29 sec)
"And today, I'm proud to announce that Jessica Stern, who many of you know as an LGBT special -- -Q+ special envoy at the State Department. And yes, we're also making progress, but I know we still have a long way to go, a lot of work to do. But we must protect the gains we've made and fend off the cruel and unconscionable attacks we're seeing now to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equality and dignity and protection."
45
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:22:56-00:23:33 (37 sec)
"When I was Vice President, I was proud -- although, some -- it won't surprise some people in the administration at the moment -- [Laughter] -- and, by the way, I did tell the President that I would not go out and proselytize, but if I was asked, I would not remain quiet. [Laughter] The President -- I was proud to have called for marriage equality, along with Barack Obama, because, at the time, I said, "Love is love, period." Six year ago, tomorrow, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality, we're all reminded of the White House lit up in rainbow colors."
46
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
00:23:33-00:23:57 (24 sec)
"Shortly thereafter, I went to New York to celebrate with my friend Evan Wolfson and a team from -- at Freedom to Marry. The joy was palpable. But we knew then, as we know now, that our work is unfinished. When a same-sex couple can be married in the morning but denied a lease in the afternoon for being gay, something is still wrong."
47
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
00:23:57-00:24:16 (19 sec)
"Over half of our states -- in over half of our states, LGBTQ+ Americans still lack explicit state-level civil rights protections to shield them from discrimination. As I said as a presidential candidate and in my first joint address to Congress, it's time for the United States Senate to pass the Equality Act and put the legislation on my desk. Put it on my desk."
48
Joe Biden
Positive
00:24:16-00:24:59 (43 sec)
"Harvey Milk was right when he said, quote, "It takes no compromise to give people their rights." It takes no compromise to give people their rights. And, by the way, this bill doesn't just protect LGBTQ+ people. It's also going to strengthen existing civil rights protections for people of faith, people of color, people with disabilities, women -- in public accommodations, like doctors' offices, parks, and gyms."
49
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:24:59-00:25:23 (24 sec)
"I want to thank the leaders of the Congressional Equity [Equality] Caucus for their continued work to make it happen. The Equality Act will also help protect against the disturbing proliferation of anti-LGBTQ bills we're seeing in state legislatures. So far this year, hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures."
50
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
00:25:23-00:25:53 (30 sec)
"More than a dozen of them have already passed -- more than a dozen of them. These are some of the ugliest, most un-American laws I've seen, and I've been here awhile. Many of them target transgender children, seeking to prevent them from receiving the appropriate medical care; for using the bathroom at high schools while they're -- the one where they'll be most safe; even preventing them from joining sports teams with their classmates."
51
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:25:53-00:26:35 (42 sec)
"Let's be clear: This is nothing more than bullying disguised as legislation. As I've said before, many times, transgender kids are some of the bravest people in the world. I mean it sincerely. You just saw it with Ashton, and you'll see it with several other young people here. It takes courage to be true to your authentic self and to face -- in the face of the -- these kinds of discrimination you know exist."
52
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
00:26:35-00:27:09 (33 sec)
"It takes a toll. We know more than half of transgender youth seriously considered suicide just in the past year. These young people aren't hurting anyone, but these laws are hurting them. And they've got to stop. Our deceased son, Beau -- when he was Delaware's Attorney General -- was one of the first AGs in the country to call for legislation to establish legal protections on the basis of gender identity to protect -- to protect trans people -- trans people."
53
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:27:09-00:28:39 (91 sec)
"And now, the Department of Justice has filed statements of interest in cases challenging two of these -- those bills that got passed -- explaining why they're so unconstitutional. So, we have to work. We have to work to do so much in these areas to support seniors, aging in isolation without support; to confront disproportionate levels of homelessness and poverty and unemployment in the LGBTQ community; to address the -- the epidemic level of violence against transgender people, especially transgender women -- it's been mentioned before -- women of color -- in the coming days, my administration is going to have more to say about that; and to finally eradicate the AIDS epidemic. I'm not sure I'm allowed to talk about this -- [Laughter] -- but our son, Beau, who was a decorated war veteran and attorney general of the United -- of the state of Delaware and should be standing here instead of me, came home from war after a year in Iraq and, before that, six months in Kosovo."
54
Joe Biden
Neutral
00:28:39-00:29:09 (30 sec)
"And what he did -- he decided he was going to set up a foundation for LGBTQ youth, but primarily focusing on transgender youth. And he took all the money left from the campaign -- he was going to run for governor -- and put it in and a lot more. Because in his working with everyone from YMCAs to all the -- all the -- all the areas where young people can find some solace -- his buddy Chris Coons and my buddy Senator Coons knows what he's done."
55
Joe Biden
Very Negative
00:29:09-00:29:42 (33 sec)
"The point is: A lot of transgender youth -- those who commit suicide -- based on the studies his foundation has done, do it because their mom doesn't understand, because mom or dad says, "You can't be here anymore" -- are rejected. So, folks, we got a lot of work to do. A lot of it's basically public education."
56
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:29:42-00:30:04 (22 sec)
"Let me close with this: When you go downstairs, you'll see some of the Smithsonian exhibit. You get a sense of the long, long journey -- and how long it's been, and how far we've come -- have you come. But how much further we have to go. So, this afternoon, we celebrate. But tomorrow, we go back to work."
57
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:30:04-00:30:31 (27 sec)
"Progress won't come easily; it never has. But we're going to stand strong, stand together. And I promise you, we will succeed. I promise you. I said to folks earlier, you know things are -- why -- why -- I always get asked by the press, "Why are you so optimistic, Biden?" Well, as my neurosurgeon once said, I'm probably a congenital optimist."
58
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:30:31-00:31:01 (30 sec)
"But beyond that -- [Laughter] -- it's a simple proposition. Look at the young people: straight and gay, doesn't matter. They're the least prejudiced -- this generation -- the most open, the most giving, and the best educated generation in history. It's a fact. In all of history. And look where they are. Look how it's changing."
59
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:31:01-00:31:33 (31 sec)
"It's changing in ways that -- in my generation, 270 years ago -- [Laughter] -- you'd get beat up for defending somebody. But really and truly, there's a great reason for hope. And so much talent -- so much talent can be unleashed by embracing the LGBT+ community -- -Q+ community. So I want to thank you and say: Happy Pride."
60
Joe Biden
Very Positive
00:31:33-00:31:40 (7 sec)
"May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you. [Applause]"
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