The 2016 Logo Trailblazer Honors, which taped last Thursday and air tonight on Logo and VH1, are being dedicated to the 49 victims who lost their lives at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
Vice President Joe Biden addressed the audience in a pre-taped message, mourning the innocent lives lost.
“Our hearts are still heavy for Orlando,” he said somberly. “You’re showing tonight we are Orlando. We’re all Americans. Unbowed. Unrelenting. We endure. We overcome. We’re hopeful. We will not be silent.”
The vice president also took a moment to denounce anti-trans bathroom legislation, referring to “draconian state laws [that] deny transgender Americans’ basic civil rights.”
RuPaul Charles, the drag queen and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” host, echoed the vice president. “As gay people we get to choose our families. And my chosen family includes millions of brave men and women around the world.”
Charles added: “Don’t f— with my family,” before leading the audience in a moment of silence honoring the Orlando victims.
LGBT pioneers Billie Jean King, Harvey Fierstein, and The Advocate were among several other honorees.
Check out Biden’s speech and Rachel Platten perform her hit “Fight Song” from the show, dedicated to the Orlando victims, below.
The third annual Trailblazer Honors air tonight on Logo and VH1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.