Yahoo News Karine Jean-Pierre Set For Outfest’s Inaugural Achievement Award For Press And Media, Will Not Attend Fest’s Closing Night Ceremony In-Person Amidst Dual Strikes
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been set to receive Outfest’s inaugural Achievement Award for Press and Media, the L.A.-based nonprofit’s highest honor, celebrating representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the media.
While she’ll be officially recognized with the honor during the Closing Night of the 41st Outfest Los Angeles Summer Festival this Sunday, July 23rd, a source close to Jean-Pierre clarifies that she will not be present in person at the ceremony amidst the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. She’ll instead have a statement read at the event, underlining her belief in the importance of fair pay and benefits for these creatives.
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The news comes shortly after the announcement that Jean-Pierre’s fellow Outfest honorees Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone have backed out of attending the festival to pick up their James Schamus Ally Award, recognizing their support and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community, amidst the SAG-AFTRA strike. “We understand that Melissa and Ben are unable to join us for our closing night due to the strike,” said Outfest Executive Director Damien Navarro in a statement. “We will miss them, as our closing night will be a wonderful celebration of our community.”
The establishing of the Achievement Award for Press and Media comes amidst a new level of investment in journalism on the part of Outfest, which recently launched its Outfest Inclusive Press Initiative for LGBTQ+ entertainment journalists. The program offers up-and-coming film critics, broadcasters and journalists unrestricted access to cover the Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival, as well as a stipend and mentorship from reporters at such outlets as Reuters, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter and KABC-TV, to name just a few. Fellows participating this year include Gisselle Palomera, Jireh Deng, Joey Harvey, Kayla Thompson, Kelsey Brown, Kristian Fanene Schmidt, Lindsay Lee Wallace, Marcus’Anthony II, Ose Ehianeta Arheghan, Eli Press-Reynolds and Shahamat Mohammed Uddin.
Said Outfest Board Co-President Nii-Quartelai Quartey of the prize for Jean-Pierre, “Outfest is thrilled to recognize the continued contributions of Karine Jean-Pierre for her barrier breaking and historic achievement in Press and Media. Throughout her career, the Black and LGBTQ+ community has been reminded of what is possible. Our fellow Americans have been reminded of our humanity and inherent dignity. Our Outfest Press Fellows have been inspired.”
The first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House press secretary, Jean-Pierre has held the role since May of last year. She previously served as deputy press secretary from 2021-2022, prior to that serving as chief of staff for U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.
To purchase tickets to remaining Outfest Los Angeles events, including its Closing Night Gala, click here.
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