President Obama appears on the latest issue of Out magazine, becoming the first sitting U.S. leader to be photographed for the cover of an LGBT title, the publication said.
President #BarackObama is our Ally of the Year and cover of the #Out100: https://t.co/h9GBgXcoOZ
The president appears on the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the LGBT community.
#BarackObama is the 1st U.S. president to be photographed for an #LGBT publication: https://t.co/bAo1A8CwYL #Out100
"This is the first time a sitting president has been photographed for the cover of an LGBT title," Out's editor-in-chief, Aaron Hicklin, wrote, "a historic moment in itself, and a statement on how much his administration has done to advance a singularly volatile issue that tarnished the reputations of both President Clinton and President Bush."
"A president who came to office on a wave of euphoria, appeared to lose momentum halfway through, and has since rallied, helping us secure marriage equality, among other landmark initiatives that are transforming our place in America," he said.
Hicklin also conducted an interview with Obama for the magazine in which the president discussed LGBT people who have influenced his life, as well as the same-sex marriage movement.
"Part of being American is having a responsibility to stand up for freedom — not just our own freedom, but for everybody's freedom," Obama told the magazine. "Our individual stories come together to make one large American story."
Others featured on the magazine's list include soccer player Abby Wambach, activist Deray Mckesson, actress Cynthia Nixon, and former athlete and TV personality Caitlyn Jenner.