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Biden Clashes With Moderator At LGBTQ Forum

Former VP to moderator: 'You're a real sweetheart'

September 21, 2019

Former vice president and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden clashed with the moderator at the LGBTQ presidential forum Friday night over the ramifications of his 1994 crime bill.

Biden got testy when the moderator charged that the bill increased incarceration rates and "disproportionately" affected "LGBTQ people of color."

"It did increase incarceration rates," moderator Lyz Lenz said, citing a Politifact fact check.

"No it didn't, but go ahead," Biden said, calling her a "lovely person."

"In 1994 you supported legislation that increased incarceration rates and promoted more aggressive policing policies and tactics. And laws like this disproportionately affect LGBTQ people of color," Lenz said.

She asked Biden to promise that as president he would not support any legislation targeting the LGBTQ community.

"Yes, I absolutely will but let's get something straight. You're wrong about the act," Biden responded. "That act was overwhelmingly supported by the African-American community, overwhelmingly supported by the community at large, everyone from Ted Kennedy on voted for it. It did not have mandatories in it. That's not what it was about."

"I will say the increased incarceration rates thing was fact-checked, I believe on Politifact. It did increase incarceration rates," Lenz said.

Biden was also challenged about his support for Don't Ask, Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act.

Right after the session, Lenz tweeted that Biden told her, "You're a real sweetheart" as he walked off the stage.

https://twitter.com/lyzl/status/1175210968185524225