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Gay WH press secretary discusses her 'coming out story' at start of Tuesday press briefing
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Gay WH press secretary discusses her 'coming out story' at start of Tuesday press briefing

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre kicked off a press briefing on Tuesday by recognizing "National Coming Out Day" and briefly discussing her experience coming out as gay to her family.

"So today is National Coming Out Day, and so I wanted to start by sharing my own coming out story," Jean-Pierre said. "Like so many in the LGBTQ community coming out wasn't an easy thing to do. My family was traditional and conservative. Being gay in my family wasn't something that you mention out loud or celebrated. But my family like many, many other families grew to accept who I was. They saw that who I loved didn't change who I was as a person."

Jean-Pierre said that she is "so honored to serve the president and the First Lady, who have stood with the LGBTQ community for many years, and will continue to stand with all those who come out."

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierrewww.youtube.com

During an interview earlier this year with USA Today, Jean-Pierre noted that her mom was distraught when she came out.

"It devastated her," Jean-Pierre told the outlet. "She hated – hated – the fact that I was gay or hated the fact that I said that to her. And it destroyed her." She also noted, "my mom loves my partner, my mom loves my kid, and my mom loves me – and has always loved me – but she loves everything about me now."

The White House Twitter account also celebrated the LGBT movement on Tuesday. "On National Coming Out Day, the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates the courage of the LGBTQI+ community and reaffirms that LGBTQI+ rights are human rights," a tweet read.

Vice President Kamala Harris also marked the day. "I celebrate our LGBTQI+ community this National Coming Out Day. Never doubt that you are loved and appreciated for being exactly who you are," a tweet on the @VP Twitter account stated.

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