Continuing President Joe Biden’s campaign promise of a diverse White House staff, deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made history yesterday (May 26) by becoming the first openly gay woman to deliver a White House press briefing. In addition, she also became the first Black woman to deliver a briefing in more than 30 years.
“It’s a real honor to be standing here today,” Jean-Pierre said in her opening remarks. “Clearly the president believes that representation matters and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity.”
.@KJP46 was just asked about her place in history as the first Black woman at the White House briefing podium in 30 years.
Here’s how she answered: pic.twitter.com/ZNsbQOT60k
— amna (@IAmAmnaNawaz) May 26, 2021
Related: Here Is a Long List of Homosexuals That Infiltrated the Obama Administration
Jean-Pierre’s colleague, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki took to Twitter to congratulate Jean-Pierre on her history-making achievement.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth–@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) May 26, 2021
“Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse,” Psaki tweeted. “My partner in truth–@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit.”
Karine Jean-Pierre, 43, was born in Haiti and has a long history of working within the Democratic party. In 2008, she originally campaigned for former Sen. John Edwards before joining the Obama campaign. Following Obama’s election, she served as regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs. In the 2020 campaign, Jean-Pierre also nabbed headlines when she physically restrained a deranged animal rights activist who tried to attack Kamala Harris during a MoveOn.org debate.
Kangol2
On representational and visibility grounds, this is a huge deal. She’s a pathblazer. Congrats to her.
Max
what I love most beyond the diversity and representation, is that none of these briefings to date have been self-serving, ugly toward reporters that may represent other viewpoints, or mean specifically to any woman of any race like during the past administration.
Fahd
Biden has granted TPS status to Haitians, now he has a Haitian American front and center at the White House. The Democrats need to hold on to the Haitian vote in Florida, so it’s encouraging to see these actions from the White House – And she’s a lesbian, which might garner a few votes too.
Caddy4J
Congrats to Karine, but the comment from Jen Psaki, my partner in truth???? Jen’s been telling untruths since her State Dept. days. She always has that deer caught in headlights look when she’s stretching the truth and has to come up with a quick untruth answer. Didn’t like her then, and glad to see her hand in her resignation and bring in someone new.
Cam
Well Well Well, the right wing troll account ditched the “Miss Terri” screename for a day to go back to an old one so it could rant about the first press secretary in 4 years to not lie to cover up crimes and other issues.
You aren’t slick, and your troll came is sad and weak.
Cam
Anybody would have been good after the monotone zombielike babble of Sarah Huckabee and the vacant cultish stare of Macenenny, but Biden went above and beyond with Psaki and Jean Pierre.
BoomerMyles
Wow, I’ve seen Karine on MSNBC for years and never knew she was gay.
Glad she’s getting a national spotlight.
Mr. Stadnick
Great to read something that was inspiring on this site. More articles like this are needed to keep this site from becoming a gay rag. Great job!