The White House has selected Jeremy Bernard (on right) to be the Obama administration’s social secretary, making him the first gay man to hold the post (and Obama’s third person to get the job). Bernard, who currently serves as chief of staff to the U.S. ambassador to France, was a major fundraising bundler for the president’s campaign along with partner Rufus Gifford (on left), and was a superdelegate at the DNC, will work with the First Lady to decide whether to put out “the good china” when John Boehner comes over.
the crustybastard
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty! We’re free at last!
Paul
wow, reach for the stars! Now if we can just get A Gay to lead the National Parks Service so that we can ensure that the WH Christmas tree is decorated appropriately we will be all set.
Right Wingers Are Socioptahs (John From England)
No shock here. Was surprised it took so long as they are hood friends with the Obama’s.
Me thinks Rahm had to go to make any of THIS happen.
mike128
This is more a story about gender than sexual orientation. It’s amazing that there has never been a male social secretary! Old gender stereotypes die hard. Wow.
Peter
More and more it seems that those Larry Sinclair rumors may have something to them. Obama sure seems to like the company of gay men. Thank God he’s not a real black man.
afrolito
@Peter: A real black man?? Your ignorance and stupidity are boundless.
tjr101
@Peter: The trolls are so obvious. And what is your definition of a “real” black man? Keep talking dumbass!
David Ehrenstein
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/18/obama-accuser-larry-sincl_n_107900.html
Right Wingers Are Socioptahs (John From England)
http://pursuitist.com/news/obama-has-more-gay-staff-than-bush-and-clinton-combined/
Here is Obamas list of gay employees.
Kieran
A gay man is chosen White House social secretary and you call him “Queen Bee”? That sounds like something Rush Limbaugh might say on his radio show and have to apologize for. I’m surprised you didn’t call him “First Fairy”.
Red Meat
@Kieran: I totally want to be the First Fairy some day, I love a man in power.
hephaestion
“Named White Social Secretary”?? WTF???!!!
When will Queerty get a freakin’ editor?
the crustybastard
@hephaestion:
It’s kinda like playing Jumble.
berbernyc
Queen Bee? A White Social Secretary? He’s not only the first gay man he’s the first man to hold this post which you don’t mention. The quip about the ‘good china’, ridiculous. I guess you wanted to be funny, but until we stop mocking or perpetuating stereotypes about ourselves no one else will. Your comments are exactly what homophobic people would say about Mr. Bernard’s because he is a gay man. Of all the headlines I’ve read about about this subject yours is hands down the worst. I specifically wanted to see how other media would discuss this matter and here I find the a gay media site (Queerty) the most disappointing.
Jeffree
Anytime someone is hired for a high-level post, it’s natural to wonder if they have the experience, talent and know-how to do the job.
So, why does this person’s sexual orientation, ethnicity/race or gender enter into the mix for THIS particular job? I absolutely support anti-discrimination legislation, since I see & experience discrimination on a regular basis, but I can’t fathom why words like “queen bee,” “gay”or “white” were thrown around without some reflection on whether the candidate was the person MOST qualified for the job.
Are we REALLY thinking that “china selection” is an essential job function?
We need more analysis and less snark on topics like these….
OrchidIslander
The title of this entry is so wrong on so many levels.
Instead of celebrating yet another positive high profile GLBT achievement, we get a snarky and inane lead.
No doubt, some other poster will weight in and tell me I’m missing the obvious humor.
Do so at your own peril….
Cam
It will be a historic event when an out gay man or lesbian is chosen to be a member of the cabinet.
Andy Patterson
Human Rights Champagne must be salivating. This appointment plays into stereotypes of rich white gay men who only want to have expensive, name-dropping parties.
Chitown Kev
Queerty’s headline is so shady…I keep saying, that shadiness is part of the charm of this blog.
Andy Patterson
It will be a historic event when an out gay man or lesbian is chosen to be a member of the cabinet.@Cam:
Janet Reno?
Janet Napolitano?
Janet ____?