Karine Jean-Pierre to become the first Black and out LGBTQ White House press secretary
On taking up the role Karine said: "this is a historic moment and it's not lost on me."
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Wiki
Karine Jean-Pierre is to become the first Black and openly LGBTQ person to take on the role of the White House’s press secretary.
Jen Psaki, who has been in the role since President Biden entered the White House last year is stepping down as of 13 May for a job with MSNBC. Jean-Pierre will start the next day.
Karine, who has a daughter with her partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, is currently the White House’s principal deputy press secretary.
“An honor and a privilege”
Last May she became the second Black woman in history to hold the daily press briefing.
As reported by CNN, Karine said of her appointment: “I am still processing it because, as Jen said, at the top this is a historic moment and it’s not lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many people out there. So many different communities that I stand on their shoulders.”
Describing the appointment as “an honor and a privilege” she thanked Psaki.
“She has been just a wonderful colleague, a friend, a mentor, during this past year and a half and I don’t think I would be here without so many people, but including her and she is just a true solid, amazing person,” she said.
During the daily press briefing on Thursday (5 May) the two women embraced after the announcement.
Psaki said: “I just want to take the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary.”
She added: “She will be the first black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this role, which is amazing because representation matters and she is going to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard, and dream big and that matters, and … we should celebrate that.”
The Attitude May/June issue is out now.
