In a White House ceremony, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the same-sex partners of NASA astronaut Sally Ride and human rights activist Bayard Rustin.

The honor, the highest for US civilians, was started 50 years ago by President John Kennedy.
'This medal has been bestowed on more than 500 deserving people,' Obama said at the 20 November ceremony.

'Tonight, I’m looking forward to joining some of these honorees, as well as members of the Kennedy family, as we pay tribute to these 50 years of excellence. And this morning, we’re honored to add 16 new names to this distinguished list,' he added.

Tam O’Shaughnessy accepted for Ride, her life partner. The astronaut made history in 1983 when she flew into orbit aboard the space shuttle Challenger; a year later she took a second trip aboard the same ship.
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