President Barack Obama was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show the end of last week, where she thanked him for his efforts to advance gay rights in the U.S.
However, while he accepted DeGeneres’ praise, Obama said that it was really she who deserved recognition for changing attitudes.
As much as we’ve done with laws and ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, etc. — changing hearts and minds — I don’t think anybody’s been more influential than you on that. Your courage — and you’re just really likable. You being willing to claim who you were then suddenly empowers other people.”
DeGeneres’ openness about her own sexuality, especially on a highly viewed daytime television program, allowed a wide audience to relate to, and empathize with, gay people who have been historically marginalized and discriminated against.
Obama added,
And then attitudes shift, and the laws followed. But it started with folks like you.”
DeGeneres’ came out nearly 20 years ago 1997 in real life and on her successful TV show Ellen. Since then DeGeneres has helped shift mainstream attitudes about the gay community in a way that bolstered Obama’s efforts on Capitol Hill.
DeGeneres appeared visibly moved by the president’s compliment. Then, after a short silence joked
I’m not really gay. I just thought it would work and I’ve had to stick with it because people responded well.”
The pair laughed together in what was arguably one of the more memorable moments of the show’s history.
