France's unwed first lady makes summit debut

[FarCenter]

US officials have said that there is no established protocol rule for how unmarried partners of world leaders should be treated.

So Trierweiler was invited to participate in all spousal programs at both the G8 and in Chicago.

The 47-year-old journalist -- twice divorced and the mother of three children, has caused a stir in the US media.

But outlets have been puzzled about how to describe the female half of the first unmarried occupants of the Elysees Palace, with CNN favoring "girlfriend" and others opting for "spouse," "partner" or "companion."

http://www.france24.com/en/20120519-frances-unwed-first-lady-makes-summit-debut

[HockeyMom]

1. Welcome to the 21st Century!!!!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. The Fundies would go nuts if a U.S. President "lived in sin" in the White House

Personally I think it's refreshing. I wish American politics didn't require their candidates to have a spouse, children, a dog, balloons at the nomination, kissing babies, etc. I hate the goody two shoes requirements for our leaders. Personally, I don't care about their sex lives as long as they are intelligent and can do the job.

[Blue_Tires]

8. +1

[Odin2005]

10. There have been a couple presidents that got hitched in office.

Can't remember which ones, though.

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Tyler, Cleveland and Wilson.

Cleveland was actually married in a ceremony at the White House.

[CTyankee]

3. Lawdy, the American press just get shorts in a twist on this stuff...

who the eff cares, anyway...

[silverweb]

4. I vote for "consort."

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]It covers everything:

con·sort noun
- a husband or wife; spouse.
- a companion, associate, or partner: a confidant and consort of heads of state.

[Stargazer09]

5. I think "partner" fits

Girlfriend sounds too temporary, while companion makes me think of a pet. Partner seems to imply a relatively equal relationship. Just my opinion, of course.

[cr8tvlde]

6. I vote for "Partner" to make the way for the

first gay or lesbian head of state because it's going to happen. So, leave it to France to lead the way. Wasn't there something like this with Carla Bruni, or was it just that she was really hot and wore a skimpy bikini.

But a 47-year-old professional as a girlfriend? Not.

[Marrah_G]

7. I think it's great!

[angstlessk]

9. I find it 'ironic'? no it is purposfull..the highest honor one can bestow own a woman is

Madam, as in Madam President...which is also the head of a brothel!...GRR

[Odin2005]

11. Why not just "girlfriend" or "partner"???

[MindMover]

12. How about what all the Repugs are calling her....

Francois's Fbuddy......

[cr8tvlde]

19. Republicans are secretly envious of the French who can get away with publicly

what many of them have to hide and pretend and cover up and pray (literally) does not come into the light of day.

[Zalatix]

14. Recognizing unwed first ladies???

Michelle Obama knows how to really WALK the pro-inclusion walk.

That is real liberalism right there.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. Can you imagine if he had been gay

and pictures of the first man - wouldn't that be wonderful!

I like the new French Premier

[Nye Bevan]

16. I vote for "Lady Friend".

"Girlfriend" sounds too juvenile for someone pushing 50.

[Odin2005]

18. I use "lady friend" so people don't think a woman friend is a GF, LOL!

[cr8tvlde]

17. How About "France's Unwed Head of State Makes Summit Debut"

Not criticizing your post or France 24, OP, and it took me a couple of times to figure out why it bothered me. Sexism creeps its ugly little head in so many insidious ways. We don't wring our collective hands over what to call Him ... just Her. President Hollande...consort, partner, etc.

Now we can wait for the First Gay/Lesbian Head of State and even if legally married, not have to worry about or much care which one is the husband and which one is the wife. And it will probably happen in France, as well!

Earlier I voted for "partner" as the new, non-sexist, non-gender, non-legal category title. It is respectful, denotes a committed relationship and is non-gender-sexist and appropriate title.

[RedCappedBandit]

20. What do they call eachother?

[Nye Bevan]

21. "Mon cheri", naturalement? Ooh la la! (nt)

[hifiguy]

22. Partner or consort seem good.

Gender neutral and respectful. After all, IIRC Prince Philip is the Prince Consort of Queen Liz and that has a nice ring to it.

[BlueIris]

23. Life partner or help mate.

Heh.