Joe Biden’s comments on LGBTQ rights fell flat at a fundraising event in Seattle on Saturday, CNN reports.
Biden, the frontrunner among the 20-plus Democratic presidential candidates, reportedly suggested that if someone “made fun of a gay waiter” five years ago, people would just let it go.
The former vice president then said if someone made similar homophobic comments today, “that person would not be invited back.”
But people from the crowd responded, “Not in Seattle.”
Matt Hill, the deputy press secretary for Biden’s campaign, on Twitter said Biden “has been and always will be a champion for the LGBTQ rights community.”
He added: “The LGBTQ community has made significant progress, but @JoeBiden is making the point that there is much more work to be done. Suggesting the LGBTQ community didn’t face discrimination five years ago or even today is just not accurate,” Hill said.
The fundraiser was hosted by PR executive Roger Nyhus, an LGBTQ rights activist.
Biden was referencing public sentiment on gay rights over the course of his political career when he made the awkward comment.
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