The White House Appoints A Man To Do A “Woman’s Job”

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Branding, event planning, Political communication

The White House is breaking social norms by appointing the first male social secretary. Not only is he male, but he is also gay. Jeremy Bernard will be in charge of planning seamless social functions for the White House. Bernard was previously the United States ambassador to France and was chosen because of his view that the White House is the “People’s House”.

His sense of humor and infectious laugh reinforces the Obama’s vision of how they want the White House to be portrayed. Not only this, but the liberal ideals of Obama match up with Bernard’s homosexuality and involvement in homosexual rights efforts. Obama has also been called a “groundbreaking president”, and this reinforces that title.

Bernard’s duties include reporting to Michelle Obama, although most decisions are trusted to the social secretary. Event planning is often thought of as a woman’s job and requires diplomatic skills and a sense of production. Even so, people close to the White House think that a man in the position is perfectly acceptable and that Bernard can do everything that previous women have done. This position is said to be one of the most important in the White House because social secretary’s report to the president and first lady and is one of the best jobs someone could have in Washington, D.C.

It may seem that President Obama is trying to rebrand the White House image to make it very gay-friendly to increase his votes for the reelection. It can also be seen as stereotypical that a gay man would be appointed as an event planner, especially since men in the position is already uncommon. Regardless, the Obama’s have stated that Bernard is most qualified for the job and that he will enhance the young, modern image of the White House that our first family represents.

Bernard, left, and his recent ex-partner.

-Brie Golden

gay rights Jeremy Bernard Obama social secretary Washington D.C.

Comments

18 responses to “The White House Appoints A Man To Do A “Woman’s Job””

February 27, 2011

Andrea Blanton

This is very interesting. I can see how many people could take Obama hiring a male secretary, who is also gay, as a way of appealing to more people during reelection time. When I read this that is exactly what I thought of. I also thought it was interesting how Obama had to state that Bernard was more than qualified for the position. It seems like he had to justify his actions to make people believe that he hired Bernard because he was qualified and not because of his sexuality. Bernard’s job seems like an incredible opportunity and would be more of a woman’s job, but there is nothing wrong with a man doing a woman’s job.

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February 27, 2011

Sally Shupe

I think that this news is something that should have nothing to do with sexuality or gender. If Jeremy Bernard is the most qualified person for the position of social secretary, then the job is rightfully his. However, it is very strategic for President Obama to make it known that the new social secretary is, in fact, a gay man; as it could enhance nation’s opinion about Obama’s gay-friendly views. In my opinion, pointing out the personal aspects of Jeremy’s life that may have “gotten” him the job demerits his qualifications as a prestigious event planner. These details about his life are telling about where our attention lies as a society and where our suspicions may fall when it comes to political news.

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February 27, 2011

Meagan Culkin

I think that it’s refreshing to see Obama breaking convention by hiring Bernard as the new social secretary. It seems like we constantly hear about women who set out to do “men’s jobs”, but we rarely ever hear about when the roles are reversed. Having said that, I hate to hear that people automatically assume that the President is just hiring Bernard because of the impending re-election. While I’m sure that such a decision could potentially boost his popularity with certain Democratic voters, it would also be an extremely risky decision to base the sway of voters on, as so many Conservative parties could very likely have the adverse reaction. I think that this decision was based more heavily on who was the best man for the job– literally.

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February 28, 2011

Kaitlin Green

I can see where the controversy lies. It is uncommon for a man to be an event planner, but that doesn’t mean that he is any less qualified just simply based on his gender. The fact that he is a homosexual man that is an event planner also has many stereotypes associated with it. I agree that Obama may have other motives for hiring Bernard for the position such as gaining more votes for reelection. However, I do not believe a person’s sexuality or gender should matter when it comes to being considered for a job position. I believe that is unfair, and the only thing that should matter is the work they produce.
Kaitlin Green

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February 28, 2011

Heather Munnelly

It is easy to think the worst of people in times of controversy, and automatically assume that they had an ulterior motive when making a decision. In this case, many people are making the assumption that Jeremy Bernard was only hired by President Obama as Social Secretary on the basis that he is a homosexual male and this would likely gain Obama more votes come re-election time. This may have been a consideration for him, but I think Meagan Culkin makes a great point – that Obama could potentially lose just as many votes as he gains when you consider the more conservative perspectives. Also, though i’m sure the job is anything but easy, there are thousands of qualified people for it. Sometimes when you are comparing apples to apples, you need to look at additional characteristics to decide which one will ultimately be a better choice. Bernard has a lot of training and experience in this position, and is more than qualified; If Obama chose him over a straight woman (in which case i’m sure many would critique his choice as being stereotypical) because of his sexuality, it does not make him any less qualified for the job.

We all know Obama is all about diversity, so I don’t think this choice was a coincidence, but that doesn’t justify people trying to downplay Bernard’s abilities.

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February 28, 2011

Courtney Sturgiss

When i read this, i too thought it may be a ploy to gain votes from the gay community in the next election. While this may be the case, i am thrilled Bernard was given the position. He is obviously qualified for the job and i think it sends a strong message to the community, and hopefully the attitudes of some people towards the gay community will change. As an Australian exchange student, i have noticed somewhat of a gap between the gay and straight community, and gay people are not as readily accepted in the united states as other parts of the world.
Obama is taking a big risk hiring Bernard, but it may very well work out for his favour. I hope what it came down to was he was the best person for the job.
Courtney Sturgiss

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February 28, 2011

Colette Beaty

Personally I think it is ridiculous that this is even a topic of conversation. Seriously, do we can if it is a man? Or if he is gay? Should we care…he can do the job, right? The man can do the job to the fullest and he was the most qualified for the job. I think it is just horrible that we are talking about this issue. We are talking about a gay male being hired as a secretary when there is a war going on. I don’t think this should be what we are covering on the news. There are things way more important out there that could be covered. And the way that he is described as a ‘gay man’ really upsets me. Where the female secretaries in the past described as ‘heterosexual females’? It just really bothers me that people are dwelling on his sexual identity as a factor on whether he can do his job.

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February 28, 2011

Stephanie Bakolia

With reelections approaching, I can see why a majority of people may think Obama’s decision to elect Jeremy Bernard as the first male social secretary is strategic. Being that Bernard is gay, many may think that Obama is purposely trying to gain “gay-friendly” votes by electing Bernard. If President Obama does happen to gain these extra votes, than so be it; however, I do not believe that was his main intention when hiring Bernard. His goal when hiring Bernard as the White House social secretary was to higher someone that was qualified and had the necessary skills to carry out the required tasks to improve our country. I also agree with Kaitlin, above. An individual’s gender or sexuality should not matter when being considered for a job. If a person can get the job done and make something great, than that is all that should matter. Gender and sexuality are completely irrelevant to whether or not a person is qualified for a certain position and should not be associated with job ability.

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March 1, 2011

Bailey Wilson

I think this is a good thing for the White House. I think it sends a positive message to society that it is okay to break the social norms set to everyone today. They only way to change the way people think negatively about something is to do something about it in a positive way. I think this sends a good message to the world about accepting homosexuality. It is a very controversial debate and the only way to make the world comfortable with it would be to introduce it into situations that would make it seem socially acceptable. It is hard to change ideals when nothing is being done to support an idea that is typically thought of negatively. I think this is a good thing and it is sending a good message. Obama is trying to make a change for the good and help people accept differences and I think it is a positive thing.

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March 1, 2011

Leonie Steenblik

I think this is really good for the white house, but I hope that they give Jeremy the job because he is qualified and not because he is gay. Because they write in the blog; “but the liberal ideals of Obama match up with Bernard’s homosexuality and involvement in homosexual rights efforts.” So it makes my think that maybe Obama tell this story to get votes of the homosexual community?
But I really like that Obama is for diversity, I am from the Netherlands and there are homosexuals completely accepted. So I also think it is a little bit funny that people really write about this, and that it is news. I am shore that there are working homosexuals in our royal house but nobody write articles about it because it is normal. And I really hope that one day in America all people accept diversity and nobody think about this peace as “news”.

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March 1, 2011

Kaitlin Riggs

I can see how many people could take Obama hiring a male secretary, who is also gay, as a way of gaining more people and support during reelection time but I think that this news should have nothing to do with sexuality or gender. It seems like Obama had to justify his actions to make people believe that he hired Bernard because he was qualified and not because of his sexuality. If Jeremy Bernard is the most qualified person for the position of social secretary, then the job is rightfully his. We now live in a world where everything is supposed to be constructed equally but it seems like we constantly hear about women who set out to do “men’s jobs”, but we rarely ever hear about when the roles are reversed. So obviously this is going to gain a lot of attention and publicity seeing how reelection time is coming around the corner. It seems very strategic for President Obama to make it known that the new social secretary is, in fact, a gay man; as it could enhance the nation’s opinion about Obama’s gay-friendly views. So lets’ just hope Bernard is sent out to do his job efficiently and not gain public attention about his personal sexual preferences and try to persuade the percentages who are against this motion.

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March 1, 2011

Erin Bailey

I love this. I think it is not only important for feminist rights to be highlighted but masculine rights as well. Just as any job should be available to a woman, any job should be available to a man as well. Just because this man is gay doesn’t make him any more qualified for the job however. I think it is important that Obama highlighted that he was hired because of his personality, humor and vision of the white house that correlates to how he wants the white house perceived. I hope he was not hired just to add diversity to the staff and support Obama’s ideals and political outlooks. However, as an Obama supporter and with the way he has changed so many things so far, I would highly doubt that that is true and that he was hired because he is more than qualified.

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March 1, 2011

Ayesha McIntyre

Personally I feel that although many feel event planning is only a women’s job, any guy interested in the position could be just had qualified if not more then any female. As far as Bernard’s sexuality I definitely see this stirring up much controversy. Although out of the norm I believe that this could be a great change for the White House. As Bernard views it, the White House is the “People House”, and I more than agree. The White House should represent America as a whole, making diversity a priority. Obama is a ground breaking president and by appointing Bernard as social secretary he modernizing the White House and creating a whole new Brand, one that I find to be very effective.

-Ayesha McIntyre

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March 1, 2011

James Burton Swain

I feel that this position can be sufficiently done by a male or female. President Obama has proved that history changes overtime. Being the first African American President is a much more difficult task than becoming the first male to take over a position that previously only females have held. Obama has adjusted to the challenges that he faced and I feel sure that Jeremy Bernard will handle his job with the upmost respect and integrity despite any criticism about his job being a “woman’s job”

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March 1, 2011

Jordan DuBreuil

The concept of any job being “a woman’s job” is bizarre to me, particularly in this day in age. Though the government tends to lean upon traditional roles, it has begun to break free from this. Starting, in many ways, with prominent female leaders such as Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Beyond that, I think it is important, for argument’s sake to have a gay staff member at the White House. President Obama has been consistent in his support of the gay community as a whole, hiring Bernard just reinforces that statement to the nation, particularly those who have not taken it seriously. As far as Bernard’s competency as an event planner, there are many men (particularly gay men) that have become famous for planning events, such as David Tutera. I think that Bernard will make a wonderful asset to the White House staff.

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March 1, 2011

Vincent Murphy

A job is best filled by the person who can best fulfill the duties and expectations of said job. The gender and sexual orientation of a person shouldn’t really have an impact on whether or not a person can perform the duties of a certain job. Of course I understand why this story is even being brought to light, but personally it’s not of much shock to me. I do wish Bernard the most success possible and hopes that he does a great job in his new position.

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March 1, 2011

Stephanie Rice

I am not really sure that Obama is so much “ground-breaking” as he is trying to tap into a hot social issue to enhance his image. I personally dislike Obama, although I respect his position as president. On a different note, I really would have liked to see gender not be such a focus for this job position. I understand that certain jobs, talents, and abilities can be more gender-related, but I also believe that stereotype can be broken in many cases. Bernard may have excellent planning skills, regardless of his gender. I think positions should be filled based on skill level…not anatomy.

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March 1, 2011

Josh Bowman

When I saw this I couldn’t help but sighing heavily. The media is always so interested in stories that have to do with sexuality it infuriates me! I feel like we have moved on to an age where jobs aren’t considered to be gender specific, but every now and again articles like this creep up and remind me that nothing changes quickly. I think that job positions should always be based on skill levels and the ability to get the job done, not ever on gender or sexuality.

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