Mary Bonauto Receives Presidential Citizens Medal

Civil rights attorney Mary Bonauto, Senior Director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Joe Biden at the White House on January 2, alongside 19 other recipients.

"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," Bonauto 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."

The White House lauded Bonauto's pioneering work in legalizing same-sex marriage across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine, culminating in her argument before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established nationwide marriage equality. "Her efforts made millions of families whole and forged a more perfect Union," the White House statement noted.

The Presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who demonstrate exemplary service to their country or fellow citizens. The White House emphasized that these recipients are "bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others."

The ceremony was broadcast on the White House's YouTube Channel.