Joe Biden tells LGBT community advocates to 'hold Trump accountable'

Former Vice President Joe Biden received the first "LGBT Hero Award" at a DNC event on Wednesday, and included a call to action in his acceptance speech.

President Trump has yet to acknowledge June as Pride Month via press release, verbal statement or tweet -- yet the former VP implores LGBT advocates to resist the feeling that it's "time to give up."

"The first thing you should do, even though he won't respond, is hold President Trump accountable for his pledge to be your friend," Biden said to the Democratic National Committee LGBT gala crowd on Wednesday night. "Demonstrate that public opinion and history are on our side! Just because you don't have Barack and me in the White House doesn't mean it's time to give up, keep quiet, stay in the sidelines."

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According to BuzzFeed News, a White House spokesperson commented on the president's commitment to the LGBT community back in January, saying, "The President is proud to have been the first ever GOP nominee to mention the LGBTQ community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression."

Biden also recalled his serving as part of an administration that oversaw the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act and "lit the White House in rainbow colors."

"One of the reasons, in spite of this terrible period we're going through, I'm confident we'll prevail is because most change occurs culturally before it occurs governmentally," he said. "The country is way ahead, way ahead of political leadership."

Biden was met with a standing ovation upon taking the stage, and returned the favor in praising audience members.

"I'm here to thank you for living with dignity and authenticity each and every day of your life," Biden said.

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