Barack Obama’s recommendation about ‘gay friends’ leaves people very divided

Barack Obama’s comments about the value of having diverse friendships have left people divided, with some praising him for it and others claiming it’s an ‘odd thing to say’.

The former US president, 63, opened up on the topic during a recent appearance on his wife Michelle and brother-in-law Craig Robinson’s podcast, IMO.

He joined the duo for an episode which was released last week and raised a lot of different talking points.

Barack and Michelle opened the show off strong by firmly shutting down the ongoing divorce rumours that have plagued their marriage.

Craig pretended to be shocked by Barack’s appearance as he joked: “What, you guys like each other?” to which Michelle replied: “Oh, yeah, the rumour mill.”

Barack then played along as he said: “She took me back! It was touch and go for a while.”

But, as things got serious, the former president almost had to fight back tears as his wife sweetly bigged him up to her listeners.

Barack Obama opened up on the importance of LGBTQ+ friendships during a recent podcast appearance (YouTube/Michelleobama)

She said: “There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting my man. And we've had some really hard times.

“So we had a lot of fun times, a lot of adventures, and I have become a better person because of the man I'm married to.”

And clearly not afraid to shy away from serious and emotional topics, the episode also delved into the importance of different friendships.

Barack explained how young men ‘need’ LGBTQ+ friends and role models so that they don’t grow up ‘ignorant’.

He recalled: “One of the most valuable things I learned as a guy was, I had a gay professor in college at a time when openly gay folks still weren't out.

“He became one of my favourite professors and was a great guy. He would call me out when I started saying stuff that was ignorant.”

He talked about how having gay role models means young men won't grow up ‘ignorant’ (YouTube/MichelleObama)

Barack added: “You need that to show empathy and kindness, and by the way, you need that person in your friend group so that if you then have a boy who is gay or non-binary or what have you, they have somebody that they can go: 'OK, I'm not alone in this'.

“Creating that community, I know it's corny but, that's what we need.”

While most people agreed with Barack’s take on the need for LGBTQ+ friendships, some seemingly didn’t quite understand the point he was making.

One X user wrote: “How about just having a great mentor period. why single out a specific type? Nonsense.”

And a second penned: “Barack Obama says all young men need a gay friend. This is a peculiar thing to say; it's awkward and sounds like he doesn't even believe it. But... maybe he does.”

However, some fans didn't quite understand what he was saying and a debate has sparked online (RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, a third simply wrote: “What a weird thing to say...”

Someone else over on Instagram chimed in with: “I'll be honest, you should be friends with queer people not for the 'benefits', but because you like that person and consider them a friend.”

However, other fans of Barack were clearly loving the admission and agreed with what he was saying, with one writing in the YouTube comments: “I had forgotten what a conversation between intelligent mature adults is like. Thanks for the reminder.”

Another gushed: “Can I just say... HOW AMAZING it is to listen to three articulate adults talk about an amazing topic in a thoughtful way.”

One user penned: “Thank you all for this discourse!!! We appreciate this!!!”

And someone else added: “Our communities need more of these conversations.”

Others simply called Barack a 'hero' and said they 'miss him so much'.