Yes, It Matters That Pete Buttigieg Is Gay.

[elleng]

'The fight for equality isn’t won, and the U.S. could use a president who understands that personally.

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 book—it 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. We’ve lived through discrimination, and the fact that laws have changed doesn’t alleviate the trauma of our past. Ask our gay elders whether they’ve recovered from losing their friends and colleagues who died by the tens of thousands during the AIDS crisis. That pain is fresh.'>>>

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/it-matters-pete-buttigieg-gay/586618/?

[FM123]

1. Such a great article!

During an interview with an LGBTQ magazine, Buttigieg described himself as “somebody whose marriage exists as a function of a single vote on the U.S. Supreme Court.”

We must remember this important point!

[SWBTATTReg]

2. No, My friends and I will never will recover from losing literally dozens of friends every month ...

for what seems like years ... our address books are literally death certificates. But we remember. We remember the horror stories, the fear (starting in 1980 and on), the internment mentality (place all HIV patients into camps, etc.), 'ask don't tell', etc.

We still have the subtle discrimination, bigotry, and hatred, although not as near as much as before. Even here on DU I see where there are those who question that a 'gay' presidential candidate is even viable down the road and if they even have a remote chance to win? They can't even say it either. It is really a shame for when I see these remarks, for I recall all of the ignorant and negative remarks about Barak Obama (not born here, won't win, etc.), who went on regardless to become probably one of the best presidents this country ever had.

Despite all of this, despite all of the roadblocks, I give Mayor Pete a gold star for still wanting to serve his community. He didn't have to, but instead, is giving back to the community in many ways. How can one knock this? I am in awe of his courage to do so openly.
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Ask our gay elders whether they’ve recovered from losing their friends and colleagues who died by the tens of thousands during the AIDS crisis. That pain is fresh

[RKP5637]

3. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Celerity]

4. great article, go Pete!!!

[elleng]

5. THANKS for this!

[Celerity]

6. yw!