President Barack Obama thanked talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres for “changing hearts and minds” to advance marriage equality during his stop at “Ellen” on Thursday.
“I said it to my staff, I said, 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,” Obama told DeGeneres.
“Your courage, and you’re just really likable,” Obama added.
Obama said DeGeneres’ decision to live her life openly and incorporate her personality into her work was very important.
“You being willing to claim who you were suddenly empowers other people. Then suddenly it’s your brother, you uncle, your best friend, your co-workers. Then, attitudes shift and the laws followed,” he said. “But it started with folks like you. I’m so proud of you.”
Obama also talked about his daughter’s upcoming high school graduation and made a Valentine’s Day video for his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama.
