In a ceremony at the White House on January 2, 2025, President Joe Biden recognised two pivotal figures in the fight for marriage equality, awarding them the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal.
Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry, and Mary L. Bonauto, senior director of civil rights and legal strategies at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), were among 20 honourees receiving this high civilian honour.
The ceremony, held in the East Room, celebrated Americans who have made profound contributions to the nation and their communities. “Together, you embody the central truth: We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” Biden said during his remarks. “Our democracy begins and ends with the duties of citizenship. That’s our work for the ages, and it’s what all of you embody.”
Wolfson and Bonauto’s inclusion underscores their crucial roles in advancing marriage equality in the United States, culminating in the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which affirmed same-sex marriage as a constitutional right.
The White House commended Wolfson for his visionary leadership in the marriage equality movement. “By leading the marriage equality movement, Evan Wolfson helped millions of people in all 50 states win the fundamental right to love, marry, and be themselves,” a statement read. His work was credited with transforming not only laws but societal attitudes, providing a roadmap for lasting political change.
Bonauto, who successfully argued the Obergefell case, was celebrated for her efforts to secure marriage rights in numerous states before her Supreme Court victory. The White House lauded her as a champion whose work “made millions of families whole and forged a more perfect Union.”
Both recipients expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that propelled the marriage equality movement.
“This medal is a tribute to the transformative, democratic work we all did together and to the power of hope, strategy, determination, and love,” Wolfson said. He highlighted the enduring impact of the Obergefell decision as its 10th anniversary approaches. “I’m honoured to see the profoundly positive impact that the freedom to marry has had for so many families across the country, the LGBTQ community, and the American people as a whole.”
Bonauto echoed similar sentiments, noting the broader significance of the recognition. “It is an astonishing honour to receive this recognition and to be in the company of other incredible individuals who have had such a significant impact on the lives of Americans,” she said. She emphasised the importance of upholding equality and fairness, adding, “This recognition today is a testament to the profoundly positive impact marriage equality has had on individuals, families, and communities across our country.”
Established in 1969, the Presidential Citizens Medal honours individuals who perform exemplary acts of service to their country or fellow citizens. This year’s honorees included champions of civil rights, women’s rights, and military service.
Notable recipients included Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman, and Bennie Thompson, a Democratic representative from Mississippi, who were commended for their leadership in investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Both received standing ovations as Biden praised Cheney for putting “the American people over party” and lauded Thompson’s “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Among the attendees were notable figures such as Biden’s son, Hunter Biden; former Secretary of State John Kerry; Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina; Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; and Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts.
