White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first out woman to hold a press briefing at the White House and the second Black woman to lead a press briefing on behalf of the White House, has long appeared to be proud of her identity. Yesterday, though, she was moved to share a touching message about how that wasn’t always the case.
Jean-Pierre talked about how she first came out to her mother. Unfortunately, like many, she was not accepting of her daughter’s sexuality at first — but as Jean-Pierre points out in a Twitter thread, sharing a picture of the White House lit up in Pride colors, that doesn’t have to mean acceptance will never come.
Related: Karine Jean-Pierre smacks down Fox reporter who wasn’t paying attention
Get the Daily Brief
The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you:
“I came out to my Mom when I was 16 years old. The revolted look on her face sent me running back into the proverbial closet and slamming the door shut,” Jean-Pierre’s thread begins. “After that, my sexuality became a family secret and it would stay that way for years.”
“I dated, but I hid those relationships from my family,” she went on. “Just as American society has evolved over the course of the past couple of decades to embrace the LGBTQ community (never forgetting we still have work to do), my family has evolved to embrace my membership in it.”
Now, Jean-Pierre writes, “I’m proud to be an out Black Queer woman and I have been for quite some time. I’m happy to say, my Mother is now proud of ALL of who I am; she loves my partner and she loves being a doting grandmother to the daughter we are raising.
“My journey towards feeling accepted by myself and loved ones wasn’t an easy one, but it was worthwhile. No matter where you are in your journey, I see you, we see you and we celebrate you – Happy Pride!”
I came out to my Mom when I was 16 years old. The revolted look on her face sent me running back into the proverbial closet and slamming the door shut. After that, my sexuality became a family secret and it would stay that way for years. pic.twitter.com/frQVqHiCjc
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@KJP46) June 25, 2021
I dated, but I hid those relationships from my family. Just as American society has evolved over the course of the past couple of decades to embrace the LGBTQ community (never forgetting we still have work to do), my family has evolved to embrace my membership in it.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@KJP46) June 25, 2021
I’m proud to be an out Black Queer woman and I have been for quite some time. I’m happy to say, my Mother is now proud of ALL of who I am; she loves my partner and she loves being a doting grandmother to the daughter we are raising.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@KJP46) June 25, 2021
My journey towards feeling accepted by myself and loved ones wasn’t an easy one, but it was worthwhile. No matter where you are in your journey, I see you, we see you and we celebrate you – Happy Pride! 🌈#Pride
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@KJP46) June 25, 2021
Jean-Pierre’s thread came on the same day that President Joe Biden (D) proudly declared, “Pride is back at the White House.” Biden had signed into law H.R. 49, which declared the site of the Pulse shooting in Orlando, Florida, as a national monument. He also spoke alongside Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first out member confirmed to a position in the Cabinet, and reaffirmed his commitment to the Equality Act in a room full of LGBTQ trailblazers and community advocates.
Jean-Pierre’s fellow Biden administration officials, including Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Senior Director of Coalitions Media Jennifer Molina, were moved into sharing her inspiring message and showing their appreciation for her honesty.
Wilson Cruz, Ana Navarro-Cardenas, Rosanna Arquette, Mia Farrow, and thousands of others joined in.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) June 25, 2021
This thread…❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 https://t.co/U2GfZUIFbX
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) June 26, 2021
POWERFUL
Thank you, @KJP46 ♥️🏳️🌈✊🏽 https://t.co/BlxcyOQrMf
— Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) June 25, 2021
1Another sign of @KJP46 incredible courage! https://t.co/myXeylqYM1
— Karen Finney (@finneyk) June 25, 2021
I’m sorry she shamed you ,that’s terribly painful .It’s wonderful you can now rejoice in who you are. We certainly do .👏👏👏🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
— ✌🏼rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) June 25, 2021
Thank you for this powerful message, for sharing your story with us, and for your service to our nation.
Bravo Karine. https://t.co/FcVDX6KBua
— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) June 25, 2021
🌈🌷💕
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 25, 2021
❤️❤️
— Jennifer Molina (@JenMolina46) June 25, 2021
This is the shirt I wore yesterday. A young girl at the McDonald’s drive thru told me she wished her mom had one. She almost cried. Idk what goes on in her family but I can imagine. Young people need to know they have allies especially if they don’t have them in their family. pic.twitter.com/rBhZ5Na3pF
— Southern Mimi (@KarenR_Tn) June 25, 2021
Thank you for telling your story. I dated men until I was 28, when I finally decided I was what I was. Back then, being a lesbian meant visions of bull dykes with slicked back hair & cigarettes rolled up in sleeves. Even my liberal parents couldn't cope. I defined myself=Happy!
— Jenifer Kay Hood (@IntrovertedNM) June 25, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Absolutely beautiful. Our journeys are not always easy but when we can come through to find joy, love, and acceptance in ourselves that's what matters!!! pic.twitter.com/eWjubUUb42
— Pamela Denise Price (@PricelessVessel) June 25, 2021
This make me so happy to see. Thank you so so much for sharing this.
— Daniel Summers, MD 🏳️🌈 (@WFKARS) June 25, 2021
Love this post–love to see you, any time you're on television. You speak the truth, and if it's _possible_, you are positive while doing so. Best to you and your SO from Kentucky!
— Mark A Gebert (@RiceStatDoc) June 25, 2021
You’re living my dream *right now. My mother doesn’t acknowledge my sexuality or partner but I hope one day when she sees how happy I am and when I have kids she’ll finally be on board. SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!
— Minka “ACAB” Eisenhower (@minkawerkz) June 26, 2021
This thread is amazing. So happy for everyone to be who they are. 💜 https://t.co/OhOPPi0fUh
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) June 25, 2021
No more closets, no more doors. https://t.co/LA6Saruluc
— John Stephens For Congress (@StephensforIN3) June 25, 2021
A really powerful thread from @KJP46 #pride https://t.co/wpu5Nxc18b
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) June 25, 2021
