Comic Billy Eichner thanks Obama for supporting LGBTI rights

Last night, 6 January, Billy Eichner was able to do something a number of LGBTI people wish they could: thank President Barack Obama for his work on gay equality.

The out comic attended the president’s farewell party. Eichner posted an Instagram photo of him standing in front of a photo of the White House, lighted up in rainbow colors.

‘I got to speak with President Obama and thank him for everything he’s done, specifically for LGBT Americans,’ the comic wrote. ‘He told me it was one of the things he’s most proud of. I told him we will love and appreciate him forever. He told me there’s a lot of work we still need to do. Setting aside for a moment the sadness and anger I feel about the next administration, this was one of the greatest moments and nights of my life. When we walked into the White House last night, the first photograph on the wall was a picture of the WH lit up with the colors of the gay pride flag. Isn’t that extraordinary?’

In the eight years Obama has been president, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been repealed. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was not supported, leading to marriage equality. Finally, the US advocated for gay rights in the United Nations.

According to ABC News, the following also attended: George and Amal Clooney, Meryl Streep, Lena Dunham, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney, Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Al Roker, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Bradley Cooper, Anna Wintour, Gloria Estefan, Jon Hamm, Stevie Wonder, Jason Sudeikis, Robert DeNiro, Al Sharpton and Lena Dunham.

Source: Comic Billy Eichner thanks Obama for supporting LGBTI rights