LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) Vice President Joe Biden was in Los Angeles Saturday to reaffirm his, and the administration’s, support for gay and lesbian rights.

Biden addressed a star-studded crowd at annual the Human Rights Campaign gala downtown.

The vice president gave the night’s keynote speech.

The HRC wanted to recognize Biden for being at the forefront at the fight for equality.

“When I spoke out the great surprise all of a sudden the polling data started rolling in and a majority and absolute majority of American people agreed with what I said, but it wasn’t because of what I said its because of all of the sacrifices all of you have made,” Biden said to the crowd.

Celebrities, political heavy weights and champions of civil rights packed the house at the JW Marriott downtown celebrating what many see as the incredible progress our country has made towards equality.

“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson said, “Obviously when you get superstars of the political world coming out to lend their voice towards the support of marriage equality and the Human Rights Campaign that’s huge.”

Speakers also also spoke up for continued change, Weingold reports. California Attorney General Kamala Harris reminded the audience that 33 states still oppose same sex marriage. She also reflected on Proposition 8, and how she fought to strike down the ban on same sex marriage.

“This struggle, this movement, this fight is about fighting for the ideals of our country and believing in the ideals of our country,” Harris said.

But the real star of the show was Biden — He spoke about equality across the entire world, taking a strong stance on the right to love whoever you want

“In some states an employer can fire you just bc of who you are or who you love, it’s close to barbaric. Think about this, imagine, imagine in 20 years looking back and saying how in the hell could that have ever been allowed?”