美國白宮近日任命積極支持同性戀運動的男“同志”伯納德為白宮社交秘書，成為總統奧巴馬和第一夫人米歇爾的首位男秘書，也是擔任這個職位的第一位公開的同性戀人士。他的工作內容包括安排國宴、節慶派對、音樂會及游客參觀總統官邸等事務。白宮社交秘書的首要任務，是要展現白宮的熱情好客，傳統都是由女性擔任，這次破例由一名男“同志”出任，可謂耳目一新。

奧巴馬發表聲明說：“伯納德和我們都希望令白宮成為全民之家，令白宮以充滿活力和包容的方式，發揚我國文化歷史。”他說：“我們期待伯納德持續透過白宮許多活動，向國民和世界介紹美國藝術及文化。”伯納德之前在美國駐巴黎大使館任駐法大使特別顧問，他也是奧巴馬長期的支持者及籌款人員。

Jeremy Bernard will serve as social secretary to President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

The White House is about to get its first ever male -and openly gay - social secretary.

Jeremy Bernard will serve as social secretary to President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

The job, traditionally filled by a woman, will put Bernard in ultimate charge of dispensing sumptuous White House hospitality at events from state dinners to holiday parties, concerts and tours of the presidential mansion.

"Jeremy shares our vision for the White House as the People's House, one that celebrates our history and culture in dynamic and inclusive ways," the Telegraph quoted Obama as saying in a statement.

"We look forward to Jeremy continuing to showcase America's arts and culture to our nation and the world through the many events at the White House," Obama said.

Bernard, a long-time Obama supporter and fund-raiser, has been serving as special adviser to the US ambassador to France at the US embassy in Paris.

"I am deeply humbled to join the White House staff as social secretary and support President Obama and the First Lady in this role," Bernard said.

"I have long admired the arts and education programs that have become hallmarks of the Obama White House and I am eager to continue these efforts in the years ahead," Bernard added.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）