Joe Biden: Gay Marriage the Civil Rights Issue of Our Day

Spoke out in favor of recognition ahead of President Obama

Vice President Joe Biden retreaded his support for gay marriage in a speech at Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) annual steak-fry fundraiser on Sunday.

In a speech hitting economic opportunity and celebrating President Barack Obama's leadership, Biden merited his own defense of gay rights.

"A lot of people criticized me for speaking out, not long ago, about gay marriage. I could not remain silent any longer," he said. "It's the civil rights of our day. It's the issue of our day."

He was referring to a 2012 incident in which "Meet The Press" host David Gregory asked Biden whether he was "comfortable" with gay marriage.