• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com

    The 16 Coolest Straight People of 2016

    Trudy Ring
    12/23/16
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Barack and Michelle Obama

    Coolest Straight People of 2016

    The most pro-LGBT president and first lady ever, Barack and Michelle Obama could make the list of coolest straight people every year. Yes, there were times early in his presidency that we wondered if he was really going to be the “fierce advocate” for LGBT people he had promised to be, but he has come through, and so has Michelle Obama. Among this year’s actions: The president condemned North Carolina’s anti-LGBT House Bill 2, took a groundbreaking and much-challenged stand for transgender equality in schools (with his Department of Education’s guidance) and elsewhere, met with loved ones of Pulse shooting victims, and stood up for LGBT rights at the United Nations and the Democratic National Convention. The first lady gave a shout-out to LGBT Americans in her rousing convention speech, and while in a speech earlier in the year, she encouraged the graduating class of Jackson State University in Mississippi to stand up against anti-LGBT laws like the “religious freedom” measure passed in that state, which was later struck down in court. “We’ve got to stand side by side with all our neighbors — straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender; Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu immigrant, Native American — because the march for civil rights isn’t just about African-Americans, it’s about all Americans,” she said. We will sorely miss the Obamas — all the more given who’s set to occupy the White House when they leave. But we expect they will continue to be activists for social justice, and they have brought up two daughters who will be fierce advocates as well.

    close button
    People
    Replay Gallery

    More Galleries

    21 Artists Performing at Nashville's LGBTQ+ Rights Concert 'Love Rising'
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    21 Artists Performing at Nashville's LGBTQ+ Rights Concert 'Love Rising'

    March 19 2023 8:00 PM
    Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Nick Offerman
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    11 Times 'The Last of Us' Stars Publicly Supported LGBTQ+ Rights

    March 14 2023 4:16 PM
    Everything Everywhere All at Once, Women Talking, and Tár
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    These Are the LGBTQ+ Film Nominees at the 2023 Oscars

    March 10 2023 4:06 PM
    From left: Sharice Davids, Danica Roem, Angie Craig, and Andrea Jenkins
    Politics
    Badge
    gallery

    17 History-Making LGBTQ+ Women in Politics

    March 10 2023 11:29 AM
    Gabrielle Union, Jamie Lee Curtis, Pedro Pascal, Melissa McCarthy and Jon Stewart.
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    11 Celebrities Who Are Standing Against Anti-Drag, Anti-Trans Bills

    March 08 2023 6:18 PM
    20 Game-Changing Queer Women to Celebrate Women's History Month
    Women
    Badge
    gallery

    20 Game-Changing Queer Women to Celebrate Women's History Month

    March 08 2023 2:27 PM