As his administration ends in just over two weeks, President Joe Biden recognized two pivotal figures in the fight for marriage equality, awarding them the Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony at the White House on January 2, 2025. 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 honorees receiving the nation’s second-highest civilian honor.
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The ceremony in the East Room celebrated Americans who have made transformative 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.”
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Wolfson and Bonauto’s inclusion highlights their roles in advancing marriage equality in the United States, a cause culminating in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established same-sex marriages as a constitutional right.
The White House praised Wolfson for his strategic vision and tireless advocacy. “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. It credited him with not only changing the law but transforming societal attitudes and creating a blueprint for political change.
Bonauto, who argued the landmark Obergefell case, was lauded for her groundbreaking work securing marriage rights in multiple states before her Supreme Court victory. “Her efforts made millions of families whole and forged a more perfect Union,” the White House statement said.
Wolfson expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of 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,” he said in a statement. Reflecting on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Obergefell decision, he noted the profound impact the ruling has had on families, the LGBTQ+ community, and the nation. “I’m honored to see the profoundly positive impact that the freedom to marry has had for so many families across the country, and for the LGBTQ community and American people as a whole,” Wolfson said.
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Bonauto echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the broader significance of the recognition. “It is an astonishing honor 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 in a statement. “The Presidential Citizens Medal represents something fundamental: that we each have a role to play in fulfilling our country’s promises of equality, dignity, and freedom. I stand alongside so many courageous individuals who fought for the right to marry, and others across our nation who share a deep desire that all of our community members be treated with fairness and dignity. This recognition today is a testament to the profoundly positive impact marriage equality has had on individuals, families, and communities across our country.”
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The Presidential Citizens Medal was established in 1969 to honor individuals who perform exemplary deeds of service to their country or fellow citizens. This year’s recipients reflect diverse contributions, from civil rights advocacy to public service.
Wolfson and Bonauto’s achievements were recognized alongside those of other honorees, including advocates for racial justice, women’s rights, and military service. Biden also honored figures from across the political spectrum. Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman, and Bennie Thompson, a Democratic representative from Mississippi, were recognized for their leadership on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Cheney and Thompson received standing ovations from the audience.
Biden personally handed the medal to Cheney, praising her for putting “the American people over party.” Thompson was commended for his “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Guests in attendance included Biden’s son, Hunter Biden; former Secretary of State John Kerry; South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn; Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro; and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey.
