Oh how we need a leader like you in #Bermuda to show our people and our politicians the importance of #Love and #Equality for ALL Humanity. Barack Obama praised DeGeneres for having the "courage" to come out as gay in 1997. US President Barack #Obama was "choked up" while presenting the nation's highest civilian honour to comedian Ellen DeGeneres during a ceremony at the White House. #DeGeneres was one of 21 actors, musicians, athletes and innovators who Mr Obama said inspired him over the years and "helped make me who I am". The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognises especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, its security and its culture. Mr Obama heaped praise on DeGeneres, saying it was easy to forget that she had risked her career in 1997 when she came out as gay. "It's easy to forget now, when we've come so far ... just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago," "What an incredible burden that was to bear — to risk your career like that — people don't do that very often. And then, to have the hopes of millions on your shoulders." Mr Obama then used one of the comedian's jokes to cover for the fact he was getting emotional during the ceremony. "But it's like Ellen says, 'we all want a tortilla chip that can support the weight of guacamole'. Which really makes no sense to me," he said. "But I thought I would break the mood, because I was getting choked up." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-23/us-presidential-medal-of-freedom-obama-degeneres-jordan-2016/8049160