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| The LGBTQ community shouldn't forget the positive effect Buttigieg's presidential run could have on our children. |
In 2008 while America celebrated the historical fact of a black man winning the office of president, the LGBTQ community was sadly reminded that the road to equality can still be rocky as the largest state in the nation, California, voted against marriage equality. It was an upset brought about mostly by how opponents of marriage equality scared voters with lies concerning what it could to children. That's why a recent event which happened with openly gay presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg should be seen as monumental in itself.
From
Instinct:
While Buttigieg was campaigning in Colorado this Saturday, the presidential candidate was approached by a nine-year-old boy, according to Bloomberg News. The young Buttigieg supporter, named Zachary Ro, then asked Pete an adorable and meaningful question.
“Would you help me tell the world I’m gay too,” the boy wrote in a pre-submitted question to Buttigieg. “I want to be brave like you."
Buttigieg, who is openly gay and married to junior high school teacher Chasten Buttigieg, shared that he was already impressed with the Ro’s courage. Buttigieg didn’t come out as gay until he’d reached his 30s in 2015. At the time, he was serving his first term as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. The mayor then got engaged to Chasten in 2017.
“Well, I don’t think you need a lot of advice from me,” Buttigieg told Zachary. “You seem pretty strong to me. It took me a long time to figure out how to tell even my best friend that I was gay.”
To me, this is no different than little black boys and girls meeting President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Scratch that. It is different probably because of one thing. I doubt that many African-American adults, while noting the moment, took up precious time detailing what they disliked about the Obamas or how they aren't working for black people.
