Cleveland (CNN) Peter Thiel encouraged the GOP to not get distracted by culture wars on stage Thursday night, saluting Donald Trump for not focusing on such things as he made history.

The tech billionaire declared to the Republican National Convention that he is "proud to be gay," becoming the first speaker in the party's history to do so from the stage of the Republican National Convention.

"Every American has a unique identity. I am proud to be gay," he said to applause, including from the Trump family. "I am proud to be a Republican, but most of all I am proud to be an American."

JUST WATCHED Peter Thiel's entire Republican convention speech Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Peter Thiel's entire Republican convention speech 05:59

He warned the party against fighting on social issues and encouraged Republicans to let transgender people use whichever bathroom they want to use.

"This is a distraction from our real problems. Who cares?" Thiel said. "I don't pretend to agree with every plank of our party platform."

Read More