President Barack Obama appears on the cover of Out magazine’s latest issue. He therefore became the first world leader to be photographed for an LGBT magazine cover. Obama is on Out magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People in the LGBT community list and was named “Ally of the Year.”

Out magazine’s editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin wrote that having Obama on the cover of the magazine was a historic moment. He also said that it was a statement on how much Obama’s administration has done on such a controversial issue. Hicklin said that Obama is a president who came into office with a lot of enthusiasm, seemed to loose momentum halfway through, and now has rallied by helping acquire marriage equality. He says Obama is initiating things that are “transforming our place in America.”

Hicklin had an interview with Obama as well. In the interview Obama talks about people he knows and admires who are part of the LGBT community. Obama talks about when he decided to make LGBT equality a focus for his administration. He says one of the reasons he got involved in politics was to make sure everyone is treated equally. He also talks about the Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges and whether or not he felt confident they would vote the way they did. Obama often ties the struggle of the civil rights with the struggle of LGBT rights, Hicklin and Obama discuss why this is the case. Hicklin also asks Obama about having alliances with other countries, like Saudi Arabia, that “do not respect LGBT rights.”

Obama is not the only important person on the 100 most influential people in the LGBT community list. Others include actress Cynthia Nixon, soccer player Abby Wambach, and former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner. This has been a momentous year for the LGBT community with the legalization of gay marriage and many major stars like Caitlyn Jenner opening up about their sexuality. Like Hicklin wrote in his editor letter, Obama on the cover of Out magazine is another momentous occasion for the LGBT community.