President Barack Obama, Carrie
Underwood, Jay-Z, Chris Kluwe and Honey Boo Boo are among the
celebrities who supported gay rights in 2012.
GLAAD's list of Ten Famous Allies
Who Came Out For Equality in 2012 also includes Brendon
Ayanbadejo, Bruce Springsteen, First Lady Michelle Obama, Josh
Hutcherson and Vice President Joe Biden.
“Our straight allies can be some of
the most effective and powerful voices in the LGBT movement,” GLAAD
wrote in a blog post announcing its list. “Particularly for
those in the public eye, allies can lead by example to help others
understand that the LGBT community is just as deserving of equality,
fairness, acceptance and mutual respect. And in 2012, quite a few
famous faces came out as allies of the LGBT community to tremendous
effect.”
“If there's one person whose voice
did the most to further equality this year, it was undoubtedly
President Barack Obama,” GLAAD added.
In May, just days after North Carolina
approved a constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual
couples, Obama became the first sitting president to endorse marriage
rights for gay and lesbian couples.
(Related: Obama
says he helped gay rights movement.)