On November 16, President Obama announced the winners of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, recognizing people who have made, "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

One of the recipients of the Medal of Freedom was comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres. In 1997, Ellen gained immense popularity when she came out as a lesbian on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Prior to 1961, homosexuality was considered criminal activity in the United States. When Ellen came out, she became the first openly lesbian actress to play an openly lesbian character on television.

The history of the LGBTQ community in America has been filled with times of acceptance and denial depending on the social philosophy of the nation at the time. However, in the 2000s, the community took large strides towards national acceptance. By 2003, all states had legalized homosexuality. Gay-straight alliances in high schools and colleges brought together students of a plethora of sexual orientations to create a safe environment for questioning and education. Same-sex marriage was legalized in the United States in 2015.

Ellen has been one of the greatest role models in the LGBTQ community through the whirlwind of social philosophy changes in the 21st century. In addition, her mother became an active member of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project.

When President Obama presented the award to Ellen, he stated, “It’s easy to forget now, when we’ve come so far -- where now marriage is equal under the law -- just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago,” Obama said. “Just how important it was. Not just to the LGBT community, but for all of us (CBSNews).” Ellen has been and will continue to be an incredible role model for the LGBTQ community.