Barack Obama champions gay friendships as pathway to empathy and kindness
– 2 min read
Former US President Barack Obama has been praised after advocating for the importance of gay friendships in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence among men.
Speaking on the latest episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, a podcast hosted by his wife and brother-in-law, Obama reflected on the emotional development of young men and the role diverse friendships play in shaping character.
“Men need a gay friend to show empathy and kindness,” he said. “And by the way, you need that person in your friend group so that if you then have a boy who is gay or non-binary… they have someone that can go, ‘Okay, I’m not alone in this’”.
Obama’s comments were rooted in personal experience. He recalled a gay professor from his university days who, at a time when being openly gay was far less common, became one of his most influential mentors. “You need that to show empathy and kindness,” he reiterated, highlighting how such relationships can challenge toxic masculinity and broaden emotional awareness.
The former president’s remarks have been met with both praise with supporters lauding his call for inclusivity and emotional growth, noting that his message aligns with broader efforts to redefine masculinity in more compassionate and inclusive terms.
Obama’s presidency marked a historic shift in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. From his early days in office, Obama championed equality, culminating in a legacy that many consider transformative.
One of his most significant achievements was the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2010, allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the US military. In 2011, his administration stopped defending the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), paving the way for the Supreme Court’s eventual legalisation of same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015 - a decision Obama publicly celebrated as a “victory for America”.
His administration also passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending federal hate crime protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity
