In a recent CNN interview Jay-Z spoke of his support for President Obama‘s recent endorsement of gay marriage, a move that prompted Nesweek to dub Obama ‘The First Gay President.’ A long-time supporter of the president, Jay addressed the fact that it’s a human rights issue no different than racial equality. “I’ve always thought it as something that was still holding the country back,” says Jay. “[It] is no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

Barack Obama is the first president in U.S. history to publicly support gay marriage. While the statement doesn’t exactly put any wheels in motion for making marriage equality a national law, it is certainly a milestone for the LGBT community.

Another field that is not known for its support of gays is hip-hop. While new rappers like Lil B and A$AP Rocky have been making their support of the gay community more known as of late, the word “faggot” is still a mainstay in a lot of hip-hop even today. Jay-Z himself has been known to use the word from time to time, like on “Heart of the City” and “Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator ’99).” But if the Beastie Boys have taught us anything, it’s that the ability to change and evolve for the better over time is possible and nothing to be ashamed of.

One important viewpoint Jay mentioned in his interview is the irrelevance of whether or not it will cost him votes — the long term weight of his stance is vastly more important than his re-election. As Jay put it, “It’s not about votes, it’s about people.”