ICYMI: MSNBC Special Spotlights Historic LGBTQ+ Americans Serving in Biden-Harris Administration

Yesterday, MSNBC aired a special for Pride Month spotlighting historic LGBTQ+ Americans serving across the Biden-Harris Administration, including:

• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg – the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the President's Cabinet;
• Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Communications Director Pili Tobar, two openly queer women of color on the White House press and communications teams;
• Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate;
• Ned Price, the first openly gay spokesperson at the State Department; and
• Reggie Greer, a senior advisor on LGBTQ+ engagement at the White House.

Hosted by host of MSNBC's "The Sunday Show" and Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart, the special showcased the groundbreaking leaders coming out stories, advice to young LGBTQ+ people, and experiences in public service. The leaders spoke to the historic and unprecedented accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration for the LGBTQ+ community, including forming a diverse Administration that includes 14% of people who identify as LGBTQ+, executive orders that strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ at home and abroad, and more.

See key excerpts from the special below:

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Sec. Buttigieg encourages young LGBTQ+ Americans to hang in there: Jonathan Capehart asked Pete Buttigieg, the first LGBTQ person to be confirmed by the Senate to a Cabinet-level position, what he would want his younger self to know. Secretary Buttigieg responded: "There's nothing wrong with you, just hang in there." He added: "I want to make sure 13-year old whoever you are out there knows to hang in there. Not to say it will be easy. But there's a lot of people rooting for you, including the president and people like me."

Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Communications Director Pili Tobar

Karine Jean-Pierre and Pili Tobar discuss how representation matters: Karine Jean-Pierre and Pili Tobar, the first out members of a White House press and communications teams, explain to Jonathan Capehart the importance of having LGBTQ+ voices "around the table" and how the Biden administration is making sure those voices are part of every policy conversation, not just LGBTQ-specific ones.

Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine

Dr. Rachel Levine stands up for transgender youth: She tells Jonathan Capehart that "transgender youth are vulnerable" and "need to be supported and advocated for."

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price

Ned Price, first out State Dept. spokesperson, on his historic platform: It sends a "very important signal." He tells Jonathan Capehart that there is "important symbolism and meaning in having someone like me speaking on behalf of his government."

Senior Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement Reggie Greer

Reggie Greer, Senior Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement, on President Biden's "whole of government approach" to advance equality: Reggie Greer, the senior White House advisor on LGBTQ+ engagement, explains the myriad ways in which the Biden White House is working to help the LGBTQ+ community. He also introduces Jonathan Capehart to out members of the administration working behind the scenes to advance equality.