Carlos Elizondo, an out gay man, has been named White House social secretary by the incoming Biden administration. Elizondo was social secretary for President-elect Joe Biden when Biden was vice president.
During the Obama administration, another out gay man, Jeremy Bernard, was named as White House social secretary. Bernard was the first man to hold the position.
Related: Lesbian political powerhouse Karine Jean-Pierre is the “top candidate” to be Biden’s press secretary
The social secretary is responsible for planning and executing White House functions. They coordinate events as simple as a single guest to large dinners for hundreds of guests or visits by heads of state.
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Elizondo, an event planner who lives in Washington, D.C., will be part of what is already being dubbed the “most diverse administration in history.” The presidential transition team includes several out officials and the president-elect’s slate of national security officials released earlier this week includes several women and people of color.
“Their dedication to overcoming the challenges facing our country today are rooted in their diverse backgrounds and experiences,” the president-elect said. “They will serve the American people and help build back better, creating a more just, equitable, and united nation.”
