“I never thought I would be an Elizabeth Warren Gay, but here I am.”

Elizabeth Warren has been hailed as a “gay icon” after her appearance at the CNN forum on LGBTQ issues.

During the televised debate, the Democratic presidential candidate was questioned by Morgan Cox, the chair of the Human Rights Campaign board of directors, about religious opposition to gay marriage.

He said: “Let’s say you’re on the campaign trail and a supporter approaches you and says ‘Senator, I’m old fashioned and my faith teaches me that marriage is between one man and one woman.’ What is your response?”

“Well, I’m going to assume it’s a guy who said that,” the politician answered, before continuing, completely deadpan: “And I’m going to say… then just marry one woman. I’m cool with that! Assuming you can find one.”

The clip went viral on social media and Warren was praised for her epic takedown.

“Elizabeth Warren said gay fucking rights,” said one Twitter user, while another wrote: “She was already running in first place for the position, but I think tonight is when Elizabeth Warren officially became The Gays’ candidate.”

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Throughout her campaign, Warren has pledged to overturn Tr*mp’s ban on trans individuals serving in the military, to allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood and to ban ‘conversion therapy’ across the United States.

Last month, Warren received praise for listing the names of every trans women of colour killed this year in the United States.

At the LGBTQ Presidential Forum in Iowa, she was asked to tell the audience how she intends to improve LGBTQ rights for America if elected to the White House next year, to which she responded: “I’m not going to tell you. I’m going to show you.”

She then read aloud their names: “Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Pebbles LaDime “Dime” Doe, Tracy Single, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater and Ja’leyah-Jamar.”

“It is time for a President of the United States of America to say their names,” she said to a cheering audience.

Warren also made a surprise appearance at RuPaul’s DragCon in New York City earlier this year and drew attention to the ongoing violence against transgender individuals in the United States.

“We need to call it out, and we need to fight back,” she continued. “Everybody should be able to go to school, to work, to get healthcare, or just walk down the street without fear of discrimination or violence. Equal means equal, period.”

After urging American residents to vote, she said: “I’m in this fight for LGBTQ+ equality. We’ve got a lot of work to do to make sure everyone is free to be who they are and to love who they love.”

Related: Jonathan Van Ness reveals he’s backing Elizabeth Warren in presidential election.