He’s been called one of the White House’s “most beloved staff members,” but after a four year stint as the White House’s social secretary, Jeremy Bernard has decided to hang up the invitation list and call it a day.
Bernard got his job the way anyone in politics does these days: he raised a lot of money for the winning side. After serving as chief of staff to the U.S. Ambassador to France, Bernard moved to his current gig, where he oversees every event that takes place in the White House.
By all accounts Bernard has done a fabulous job in a position that seems to embody every gay cliche unimaginative columnists can imagine. But what Bernard was best at was remaining out of sight. He only gave his first interview, to Vogue (of course), in February, when he clearly had his exit in mind.
Bernard’s invisibility was purposeful. One of his predecessors, Desirée Rogers, was essentially shown the door due to her propensity for self-promotion. By contrast, Bernard says that the Obamas knew that “I was loyal and supportive.” As for what comes next, Bernard told Vogue that he hasn’t thought about it.
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“The good thing about this job—and perhaps the bad thing—is that I am not able to think about the future,” Bernard said. “One of my predecessors told me that she lost sleep toward the end because people told her she would go on to do great things next, but they never told her what. She warned me that I do have to start thinking about it. I know I do; I just haven’t yet. I’m sort of putting my head in the sand.“
Thomas C. Graham
Why do we demand equality, but continue to have to define everything by our sexual orientation? The position isn’t Gay Social Secretary.
jwtraveler
@Thomas C. Graham: Yeah. I was surprised that the White House has a position of “Gay Social Secretary”.
DistingueTraces
If we want men to be equal, why do we have something called Men’s Health magazine?
Shouldn’t it just be ‘S Health?
Sukhrajah
Continuing on his statement, I too wonder what his career prospects are, post-Obama? I believe that the cliche of ‘The World is Your Oyster’ is no valid. The gay world needs someone with his experience, in almost any field that we can get it. He is a vetted member of the diplomatic core, and thus privy to many connections that almost anyone else in the field would do heinous things for. I find his defeatist statement/attitude misplaced. Perhaps he is just overworked, and when the dust settles, and the party ends he will find his footing again. That said, he is too talented, too well connected, too handsome and too resourceful to find himself unemployable at the end of his time with the Executive Branch. For the very least, he will have an impressive letter of recommendation.
Caoimhin Mikael Lycke
Great point Thomas!
Giancarlo85
He probably has a good resume and would be able to get a job with any corporation for public relations or something government related. The state department is gay friendly for example.
GayEGO
@Sukhrajah: I guess it depends on who get’s elected. Some GOPs may claim fairness by assigning us Gays to clean the latrines! :>)
jwtraveler
@DistingueTraces: Of course that’s exactly the same thing you idiot.
NJjoe
I’m going off track here, but he is one good hunk a man. Sorry, I had to get that off my, ahem, chest.
stanhope
@Thomas C. Graham: Did you just fart? Oooops I guess not with your tight ass.
takingliberties
I bet he’s hung. He looks hung. Probably thick too.