Karine Jean-Pierre and Pili Tobar have been given communications positions by President-elect Joe Biden
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
Following Joe Biden’s historical election win last month, the future for LGBTQI individuals in the U.S. is beginning to look much brighter. Even more so now that two longtime political activists, both lesbians of colour, have been appointed as part of an all-women communications team.
Karine Jean-Pierre, who is Black, will be principal deputy press secretary in the White House, while Pili Tobar, who is Latinx, will be deputy White House communications director, the Biden transition team have announced.
The all women team that has been appointed “embody Joe Biden’s commitment to a diverse administration where the voices of all Americans are represented.”
I’m so proud that our communications team for the Biden-Harris administration is a roster filled w/ rockstar women: @jrpsaki, @KBeds, @SymoneDSanders, @AshleyEtienne09 @EAlexander, @pilitobar87 All will bring dignity, professionalism and expertise to their respective roles!
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) November 30, 2020
Karine served as chief of staff to Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign, making her the first Black person and first lesbian to hold that position.
Karine is a Haitian-American political campaigner, activist and lecturer who has worked on presidential campaigns for John Edwards, Martin O’Malley and former U.S. president Barack Obama.
So happy and honored to have the opportunity to serve as White House Deputy Communications Director with this amazing team of women! @KBeds @SymoneDSanders @jrpsaki @K_JeanPierre @EAlexander332 @AshleyEtienne09 https://t.co/RTHt6eaPij
— Pili Tobar (@pilitobar87) November 29, 2020
Pili Tobar is from Florida but lived in Guatemala in her youth, and served as communications director for coalitions during the Biden campaign.
She has previously worked as deputy director for America’s Voice, an advocacy organisation for immigrants, as well as national director of Hispanic media and Western regional press secretary for the Democratic National Committee.
Barbara Simon, head of news and campaigns at LGBTQI advocacy organisation GLAAD, celebrated the choices in a statement: “Including queer women of colour in the history-making, all-female communications team shows a commitment to a White House where all are welcome at the table. We expect them to continue fighting for more voices to be heard, especially women, immigrants and queer people of colour who’ve too often been left out of conversations and decisions about our lives. We look forward to seeing them lead the way.”
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