People We Love 2016: President Barack Obama

The Human Rights Campaign lists over 100 advancements on behalf of LGBT people that took place under the administration of our forty-fourth president.

He had a direct hand in some, like the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Others were at least in part the result of the political climate he helped create (such as the overturn of DOMA). These steps forward continued into the last year of his presidency, which included his historic declaration of Stonewall as the first national monument dedicated to our community. Obama may not have achieved everything he set out to do, but as we look back it is clear that during his two terms our community was better off because we had a President in office who advocated for us to be protected against violence and discrimination and who recognized our equal rights in arenas from adoption to immigration. Thank you for the past eight years, Mr. President; we are proud to be part of your legacy.

Want more inspiration? Looking Back on the Heroes of Marriage Equality.

For more People We Love:

2017
Ryan Murphy
Danica Roem
Lena Waithe
Difficult People
Nick Jonas
Sean Coleman
The Makers of One Day at a Time
Sam Smith
Valerie Weisler
Kathy Tu & Tobin Low
Matt Tumminello
Naomi Watts
Randy Rainbow
Cheyenne Jackson
Edith Windsor
Brian Rafferty
Pink

2016
Tom Ford
Ryan Reynolds
President Barack Obama
Makers of Crazy Ex Girlfriend
Lee Pace
Sarah Paulson
Celine Dion
The Wachowski Sisters
Chelsea Handler
Lady Gaga
Laverne Cox

2015
Lily Tomlin
Eddie Redmayne
Creators of Fun Home
Creators of Carol
Charles Leslie
Caitlyn Jenner
Lin Manuel Miranda
Creators of Empire
Susan Sarandon
John Oliver
Grace Jones