Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumYes, It Matters That Pete Buttigieg Is Gay
Pete Buttigieg plays harmonica, guitar, and piano! He speaks Norwegian! Whoa, he actually speaks eight languages! I heard he even wrestled a bear live on CNN. None of the gee-whiz stories solidifying into the Buttigieg canon make any difference to me in deciding which of the Democratic candidates will get my vote. But as a gay man, I do care that Buttigieg is gay.
In my lifetime, it has been illegal for me to serve in the military, illegal for me to marry, illegal for me to adopt children, and even illegal for me to have sex. Society barred me from the first three; until 2003, the fourth meant risk of a fine or a prison sentence in some states. This discrimination did not just happen in a history bookit happened to me, and it happened to Buttigieg, too.
I am two years older than Buttigieg. We could have grown up with the same cartoons, listened to the same music, felt the same fear when we heard that Matthew Shepard had been murdered. Weve lived through discrimination, and the fact that laws have changed doesnt alleviate the trauma of our past. Ask our gay elders whether theyve recovered from losing their friends and colleagues who died by the tens of thousands during the AIDS crisis. That pain is fresh.
More at: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/it-matters-pete-buttigieg-gay/586618/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)And like all of our Democratic Party's candidates - intelligent, compassionate, and loves the USA.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Faux pas
(14,689 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Politicub
(12,165 posts)When Obama was sworn in as president, it renewed my belief that anything is possible in America. Mayor Pete has the same effect on me.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,681 posts)It's an excellent article.
It shows us the inside view of what it's like to be gay in America and how having a role model who successfully came out can really make a positive difference.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)Not a single out gay man served on the federal bench until President Barack Obama took office.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided