Buttigieg, the first openly gay Democratic printial ndidate, was hated by the left. Why? | Aaron Hickl | The Guardian

Contents:

• MEET PETE BUTTIGIEG: A GAY MAYOR, AFGHAN WAR VET AND LENNIAL WHO'S NNG FOR PRINT
• PETE {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}PETE BUTTIGIEG, A FORMER MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WAS AMONG THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDAT AND IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN. HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}BY EUDIE {DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: FEB 3, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: LLOYD BISHOPNBCU PHOTO BANKNBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1982-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS PETE BUTTIGIEG?PETE BUTTIGIEG IS A FORMER TWO-TERM MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. A GRADUATE OF HARVARD UNIVERSY AND AN OXFORD RHOS SCHOLAR, BUTTIGIEG ENLISTED THE U.S. NAVY RERVE AND BEME A LITENANT WHEN HE WAS PLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN 2014. IN APRIL 2019 HE ANNOUNCED HIS NDIDACY THE 2020 U.S. PRINTIAL ELECTN, A BID THAT WOULD HAVE MA HIM THE YOUNGT AND THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PRINT U.S. HISTORY. DPE EMERGG AS A TOP-TIER DEMOCRATIC NDIDATE, BUTTIGIEG SPEND HIS MPAIGN EARLY MARCH 2020.EARLY LIFE AND FAYTHE ONLY CHILD TO PARENTS JOSEPH AND JENNIFER BUTTIGIEG, PETER PL MONTGOMERY BUTTIGIEG WAS BORN ON JANUARY 19, 1982, AND RAISED SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. HIS FATHER IMMIGRATED OM MALTA WHILE LLEGE, AND ALTHOUGH HE STUDIED TO BE A JU PRIT, JOSEPH END UP BEG A LERATURE PROFSOR AT THE UNIVERSY OF NOTRE DAME FOR NEARLY THREE S.BUTTIGIEG'S MOTHER, JENNIFER, IS A LGUIST AND HAILS OM INDIANA. LIKE HER HBAND, JENNIFER TGHT AT THE UNIVERSY OF NOTRE DAME AS A PROFSOR FOR ALMOST THREE S.EDUTNTHE CHILD OF TWO LLEGE PROFSORS, BUTTIGIEG EXCELLED AMILLY. HE WAS HIS HIGH SCHOOL'S VALEDICTORIAN AND ALSO MATRICULATED TO HARVARD UNIVERSY AS A HISTORY AND LERATURE MAJOR. AFTER GRADUATG 2004, HE BEME A RHOS SCHOLAR AT THE UNIVERSY OF OXFORD AND GRADUATED WH A B.A. PHILOSOPHY, POLICS AND ENOMICS.DURG HIS LLEGE YEARS, BUTTIGIEG GOT VOLVED POLICS ON THE STATE LEVEL AND WAS LATER EMPLOYED AS A DIRECTOR BY A NSULTG FIRM WASHGTON, D.C. POST LLEGE, HE WORKED ON JOHN KERRY'S PRINTIAL MPAIGN 2004 AND FOR ANOTHER NSULTG FIRM, MCKSEY & COMPANY, CHIGO. HE CURRENTLY SERV AS AN ADVISOR FOR THE TMAN NATNAL SECURY PROJECT, A PROGRSIVE NATNAL SECURY ANIZATN.BIS HIS NATIVE ENGLISH, BUTTIGIEG HAS FLUENCY SEVEN ADDNAL LANGUAG: ITALIAN, MALTE, SPANISH, DARI PERSIAN, ARABIC, FRENCH AND NORWEIGAN (THE LAST BEG SELF-TGHT).MILARY SERVICEAS A SUPPORTER AND VOLUNTEER OF {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}BARACK OBAMA'S PRINTIAL BID, BUTTIGIEG WAS SPIRED TO ENLIST THE ARY 2007. TWO YEARS LATER, HE BEME A U.S. NAVY RERVE OFFICER, AND WHILE SERVG HIS FIRST TERM AS THE MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND 2014, WAS PLOYED TO KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, WHERE HE TOOK PART THE AFGHANISTAN THREAT FANCE CELL (ATFC), WHICH AIMED TO DISPT THE FANCIAL SYSTEMS OF TERRORIST ANIZATNS.IN HIS 2019 TOBGRAPHY, SHORTT WAY HOME, BUTTIGIEG SCRIBED SERVG DANGERO AREAS KABUL: “IN A RUAL TO BE REPEATED DOZENS OF TIM, I WOULD HEAVE MY ARMORED TORSO TO THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF A LAND CISER, CHAMBER A ROUND MY M4, LOCK THE DOORS AND WAVE A GLOVED GOODBYE TO THE MACEDONIAN GATE GUARD,” BUTTIGIEG WROTE. “MY VEHICLE WOULD CROSS OUTSI THE WIRE AND TO THE BOISTERO AFGHAN CY, ENTERG A WORLD FELY MORE TERTG AND ORDARY AND DANGERO THAN OUR ZONE BEHD THE BLAST WALLS AT ISAF HEADQUARTERS.”MOVED BY HIS OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE, 2015, BUTTIGIEG ME OUT AS A GAY MAN.MAYOR OF SOUTH BENDAFTER WNG THE MAYORAL ELECTN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, BUTTIGIEG, THEN JT 29 YEARS OLD, TOOK HIS OFFICE JANUARY 2012 AND BEME THE YOUNGT MAYOR TO SERVE A U.S. CY WH OVER 100,000 RINTS.BUTTIGIEG WAS RE-ELECTED 2015, BUT NOT WHOUT A STA ON HIS RERD: DURG HIS FIRST TERM, FERAL THORI UNVERED THAT SOUTH BEND'S POLICE WERE ILLEGALLY WIRETAPPG SOME OF S OFFICERS' PHONE LLS, UNR THE REQUT OF POLICE CHIEF DARRYL BOYKS. THIS PROMPTED BUTTIGIEG TO NOT ONLY MOTE BOYKS BUT TO LATER ASK FOR HIS RIGNATN. BOYKS, WHO WAS THE CY'S FIRST BLACK POLICE CHIEF, EVENTUALLY SUED THE CY, CLAIMG DISCRIMATN (PREV WHE POLICE CHIEFS PURPORTEDLY NDUCTED THE SAME WIRETAPPG POLICY). THIS NTROVERSIAL EVENT, BUTTIGIEG CLAIMS, WAS HIS "FIRST SER MISTAKE AS MAYOR."DPE ACCG SOME NTROVERSI, BUTTIGIEG ALSO HELPED TRANSFORM THE CY. HE CREATED PROGRAMS TO REPAIR AND CLEAN UP ABANDONED BUILDGS, ASSISTED LOW-G HOG AND PROMOTED URBAN VELOPMENT PROJECTS.BUTTIGIEG LEFT OFFICE AFTER PLETG TWO TERMS, GIVG WAY TO HIS FORMER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE AND CHIEF OF STAFF, JAM MUELLER.POLIL CAREERBUTTIGIEG LACKED THE NAME REGNN AND SUPPORT OF OTHER LEADG DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT WHEN HE FORMALLY LNCHED HIS PRINTIAL MPAIGN APRIL 2019, BUT HE SOON GAED GROUND THANKS TO HIS OBV TELLECT AND CHARISMA, AND TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR HE WAS TRAILG ONLY THE BIG THREE OF JOE BIN, BERNIE SANRS AND ELIZABETH WARREN THE POLLS.MEDIRE FOR ALL WHO WANT ITWHILE THE HEALTHRE BATE AMERI NTU TO BE HEATED AND NTROVERSIAL, BUTTIGIEG TOOK A MIDDLE-GROUND APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE. HE SUPPORTED GIVG AMERINS A CHOICE THEIR HEALTHRE BY PROPOSG AN "OPT " OPTN, WHILE SIMULTANEOLY ALLOWG AMERINS WHO PREFER TO STAY WH PRIVATE SURANCE TO HAVE THAT ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE. BUTTIGIEG'S "MEDIRE FOR ALL WHO WANT IT" NTRASTED WH THE ERNMENT-N SGLE-PAYER PROPOSAL BACKED BY THE MORE PROGRSIVE NDIDAT SUCH AS SANRS AND WARREN.THE DOUGLASS PLANTO ADDRS THE ISSU OF BLACK DISENANCHISEMENT AND REPARATNS, WHICH WERE AMONG THE TOPICS BATED BY 2020 DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT, BUTTIGIEG PROPOSED THE DOUGLASS PLAN. NAMED AFTER THE ABOLNIST AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST FRERICK DOUGLASS, THE PLAN OFFERED IMPROVED HEALTHRE POLICI TO THE BLACK MUNY, GIVG MORE ACCS TO CRED FOR BLACK BS AND ENTREPRENRS, A REVTMENT TN AND SYSTEMATIC CRIMAL JTICE REFORM. WHILE THE DOUGLASS PLAN SPECIFILLY FOCED ON THE NEEDS AND NCERNS OF AIN AMERINS, ALSO SERVED TO AID OTHER DISENANCHISED MORY GROUPS.NATNAL SERVICEBUTTIGIEG CREATED "A NEW CALL TO SERVICE" PLAN THAT ENURAGED HIGH SCHOOL STUNTS TO SERVE NATNAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE PEACE CORPS AND AMERICORPS AND TO ENGAGE SOME OF THE PRSG ISSU OF THE TIM, CLUDG CLIMATE CHANGE, ADDICTN AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSU AND MENTORSHIP. THE U.S. SUPREME COURTIN AN EFFORT TO POLICIZE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, BUTTIGIEG NSIRED THE ALTERNATIVE OF ADDG FIVE MORE JTIC TO THE CURRENT COURT STCTURE. VETTED BY THE LOWER URTS, THE ADDNAL JTIC WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO SERVE AFTER BEG UNANIMOLY VOTED BY THE ORIGAL NE U.S. SUPREME COURT JTIC. BUTTIGIEG ALSO NSIRED TERM LIMS FOR JTIC, SAYG HE WOULD FORM A BIPARTISAN MISSN TO EXPLORE THE BT AND MOST VIABLE OPTNS IF ELECTED PRINT.SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATNON FEBARY 2, 2021, BUTTIGIEG WAS NFIRMED AS PRINT BIN'S SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET SECRETARY. "I'M HONORED AND HUMBLED BY TODAY'S VOTE THE SENATE—AND READY TO GET TO WORK," HE TWEETED.DROPPG OUTALTHOUGH BUTTIGIEG'S MPAIGN WAS SEEMGLY ON STRONG GROUND WHEN HE WON THE NTROVERSIAL IOWA UC EARLY FEBARY 2020, THE NDIDATE WAS UNABLE TO STA THE MOMENTUM THROUGH SUBSEQUENT PRIMARI. ON MARCH 1, AFTER FISHG WELL BEHD BIN AND SANRS SOUTH CAROLA, BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS DROPPG OUT OF THE PRINTIAL RACE."OUR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO UNIFY AMERINS TO FEAT DONALD TMP AND TO W THE ERA FOR OUR VALU," HE TOLD SUPPORTERS. "SO WE MT REGNIZE THAT AT THIS POT THE RACE THE BT WAY TO KEEP FAH WH THOSE GOALS AND IALS IS TO STEP ASI AND TO HELP BRG OUR PARTY AND OUR UNTRY TOGETHER."HBAND AND PERSONAL LIFEBUTTIGIEG MET HIS HBAND, CHASTEN, ON A DATG APP 2015 AND MARRIED HIM THREE YEARS LATER. HAVG EARNED HIS MASTER'S AT DEPL UNIVERSY, CHASTEN BEME A JUNR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND TGHT AT MONTSORI AMY INDIANA. AFTER BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED HIS PRINTIAL N, CHASTEN RELQUISHED HIS TEACHG POSN TO TRAVEL WH HIM AND SUPPORT HIS NDIDACY.AN EPISPALIAN, BUTTIGIEG WAS UNIQUE AMONG HIS 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL LLEAGU FOR MAKG HIS CHRISTIAN FAH A RNERSTONE OF HIS POLIL INTY. KNOWN FOR LLG OUT RELIG REPUBLINS WHO VOTE AGAST MEASUR THAT UNRME THE NEEDS OF THE POOR, BUTTIGIEG RECEIVED PRAISE OM SOME AND CRICISM OM OTHERS RELIG CIRCL.HE PUBLICLY LAMBASTED VICE PRINT MIKE PENCE, WHO IS AN EVANGELIL CHRISTIAN, FOR BEG A "CHEERLEAR FOR THE PORN-STAR PRINCY" AND CRICIZED NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO SUPPORTED PRINT TMP."BEE MY PARTY'S BEEN SO ALLERGIC TO RELIG LANGUAGE, WE'VE FOTTEN THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE MA AWARE OF THEIR CHOICE," BUTTIGIEG TOLD CNN. "I'VE GOT TO SPEAK UP, IF ONLY TO POT OUT THE HYPOCRISI OF THOSE NOW POWER. TIME WILL TELL WHETHER THAT'S SMART POLILLY OR NOT."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;MARG:0.9375REM 0 0 0.625REM;PADDG:0 0 0 1.25REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:0.9375REM 0;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} LI{PADDG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} LI::MARKER{LOR:#323232;}BIRTH YEAR: 1982BIRTH DATE: JANUARY 19, 1982BIRTH STATE: INDIANABIRTH CY: SOUTH BENDBIRTH COUNTRY: UNED STATBT KNOWN FOR: PETE BUTTIGIEG, A FORMER MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WAS AMONG THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDAT AND IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN. HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET SECRETARY.ASTROLOGIL SIGN: CAPRIRNFACT CHECK
• PETE BUTTIGIEG BE FIRST OPENLY GAY DEMOCRAT TO N FOR PRINT
• BUTTIGIEG, THE FIRST OPENLY GAY DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE, WAS HATED BY THE LEFT. WHY?

MEET PETE BUTTIGIEG: A GAY MAYOR, AFGHAN WAR VET AND LENNIAL WHO'S NNG FOR PRINT

Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, beme the first openly gay ndidate the 2020 printial race Wednday, jog an already crowd field of Democratic hopefuls. “I’m om the Midwt, so the issu of makg sure that we have a posive way forward for workers and fai the dtrial Midwt — this is not theoretil for me, ’s my home, ” Buttigieg Buttigieg were to overe the long odds and bee the Democratic nomee for print, he would be the first openly gay nomee and the first veteran of the Afghanistan War, where he served a tour as a Naval Rerve officer.

“I was well to adulthood before I was prepared to acknowledge the simple fact that I am gay, ” Buttigieg wrote at the time.

Printial electn, a bid that would have ma him the youngt and the first openly gay print U. ”Moved by his overseas experience, 2015, Buttigieg me out as a gay of South BendAfter wng the mayoral electn South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg, then jt 29 years old, took his office January 2012 and beme the youngt mayor to serve a U. Secretary of TransportatnOn Febary 2, 2021, Buttigieg was nfirmed as Print Bin's secretary of transportatn, makg him the first openly gay man bet secretary.

PETE {LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:600;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:0.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.25REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.2;}} A{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;} A:HOVER{LOR:#A00000;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}PETE BUTTIGIEG, A FORMER MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WAS AMONG THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDAT AND IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN. HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET {MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;} SPAN{LE-HEIGHT:1.6;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;}{FONT-STYLE:NORMAL;PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;FONT-FAY:RALAS,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;LOR:#323232;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.3;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;TEXT-TRANSFORM:PALIZE;}BY EUDIE {DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;MARG-LEFT:0.625REM;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}UPDATED: FEB 3, {DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;}{MARG-BOTTOM:0.9375REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 64REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(100VW - (1REM * 2));MARG-LEFT:1REM;MARG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(-1 * 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - (LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 2 * 1REM)) / -2);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 90REM){{MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / 2);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM) - 1REM - 20.625REM) / -2) - 1REM);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 2);MAX-WIDTH:LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM);PADDG-LEFT:1REM;PADDG-RIGHT:1REM;} .E152U5OS0{WIDTH:100VW;MARG-LEFT:LC(LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 + 1REM)) / -2) - LC(2 * 1REM));}[DATA-HAS-SPONSOR] {MARG-LEFT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);MARG-RIGHT:LC((100VW - LC(20.625REM * 2 - 1REM)) / 4);}}{JTIFY-SELF:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG-LEFT:-50VW;MARG-RIGHT:-50VW;WIDTH:100VW;LEFT:50%;RIGHT:50%;}}{HEIGHT:TO;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO LC(50% - 50VW);}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:TO;}}{POSN:RELATIVE;HEIGHT:TO;}{POSN:RELATIVE;--POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} A{POSN:ABSOLUTE;}{POSN:RELATIVE;WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;VERTIL-ALIGN:TOP;}{BACKGROUND:#C92228;BOTTOM:0;PADDG:.5REM;RIGHT:0;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG:0.39REM;}}{DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:1REM;WIDTH:1REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{WIDTH:1.063REM;HEIGHT:1.063REM;}}{LE-HEIGHT:1;MARG-TOP:0.3125REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 73.75REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0.9375REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0;}}{PADDG-RIGHT:0.3125REM;LOR:#595959;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-SIZE:0.75REM;LE-HEIGHT:1;FONT-WEIGHT:800;}PHOTO: LLOYD BISHOPNBCU PHOTO BANKNBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;POSN:RELATIVE;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{PADDG-LEFT:3.5REM;PADDG-RIGHT:3.5REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{MAX-WIDTH:45.25REM;MARG-LEFT:TO;MARG-RIGHT:TO;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 61.25REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 73.75REM) AND (MAX-WIDTH: 100REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 90REM){{PADDG-LEFT:0REM;PADDG-RIGHT:0REM;}} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;}{CLEAR:BOTH;NTENT:" ";DISPLAY:BLOCK;FONT-SIZE:0.7REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.5REM;HEIGHT:0REM;VISIBILY:HIDN;}{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;}(1982-){LOR:#323232;FONT-FAY:GILROY,HELVETI,ARIAL,SANS-SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:800;LETTER-SPACG:0.02EM;MARG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;MARG-TOP:0.625REM;}@MEDIA(MAX-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:1.875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 64REM){{FONT-SIZE:2REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.1;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;}WHO IS PETE BUTTIGIEG?PETE BUTTIGIEG IS A FORMER TWO-TERM MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. A GRADUATE OF HARVARD UNIVERSY AND AN OXFORD RHOS SCHOLAR, BUTTIGIEG ENLISTED THE U.S. NAVY RERVE AND BEME A LITENANT WHEN HE WAS PLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN 2014. IN APRIL 2019 HE ANNOUNCED HIS NDIDACY THE 2020 U.S. PRINTIAL ELECTN, A BID THAT WOULD HAVE MA HIM THE YOUNGT AND THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PRINT U.S. HISTORY. DPE EMERGG AS A TOP-TIER DEMOCRATIC NDIDATE, BUTTIGIEG SPEND HIS MPAIGN EARLY MARCH 2020.EARLY LIFE AND FAYTHE ONLY CHILD TO PARENTS JOSEPH AND JENNIFER BUTTIGIEG, PETER PL MONTGOMERY BUTTIGIEG WAS BORN ON JANUARY 19, 1982, AND RAISED SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. HIS FATHER IMMIGRATED OM MALTA WHILE LLEGE, AND ALTHOUGH HE STUDIED TO BE A JU PRIT, JOSEPH END UP BEG A LERATURE PROFSOR AT THE UNIVERSY OF NOTRE DAME FOR NEARLY THREE S.BUTTIGIEG'S MOTHER, JENNIFER, IS A LGUIST AND HAILS OM INDIANA. LIKE HER HBAND, JENNIFER TGHT AT THE UNIVERSY OF NOTRE DAME AS A PROFSOR FOR ALMOST THREE S.EDUTNTHE CHILD OF TWO LLEGE PROFSORS, BUTTIGIEG EXCELLED AMILLY. HE WAS HIS HIGH SCHOOL'S VALEDICTORIAN AND ALSO MATRICULATED TO HARVARD UNIVERSY AS A HISTORY AND LERATURE MAJOR. AFTER GRADUATG 2004, HE BEME A RHOS SCHOLAR AT THE UNIVERSY OF OXFORD AND GRADUATED WH A B.A. PHILOSOPHY, POLICS AND ENOMICS.DURG HIS LLEGE YEARS, BUTTIGIEG GOT VOLVED POLICS ON THE STATE LEVEL AND WAS LATER EMPLOYED AS A DIRECTOR BY A NSULTG FIRM WASHGTON, D.C. POST LLEGE, HE WORKED ON JOHN KERRY'S PRINTIAL MPAIGN 2004 AND FOR ANOTHER NSULTG FIRM, MCKSEY & COMPANY, CHIGO. HE CURRENTLY SERV AS AN ADVISOR FOR THE TMAN NATNAL SECURY PROJECT, A PROGRSIVE NATNAL SECURY ANIZATN.BIS HIS NATIVE ENGLISH, BUTTIGIEG HAS FLUENCY SEVEN ADDNAL LANGUAG: ITALIAN, MALTE, SPANISH, DARI PERSIAN, ARABIC, FRENCH AND NORWEIGAN (THE LAST BEG SELF-TGHT).MILARY SERVICEAS A SUPPORTER AND VOLUNTEER OF {-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN-THICKNS:0.0625REM;TEXT-RATN-LOR:HER;TEXT-UNRLE-OFFSET:0.25REM;LOR:#A00000;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;TRANSN:ALL 0.3S EASE--OUT;}{LOR:#595959;TEXT-RATN-LOR:BORR-LK-BODY-HOVER;}BARACK OBAMA'S PRINTIAL BID, BUTTIGIEG WAS SPIRED TO ENLIST THE ARY 2007. TWO YEARS LATER, HE BEME A U.S. NAVY RERVE OFFICER, AND WHILE SERVG HIS FIRST TERM AS THE MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND 2014, WAS PLOYED TO KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, WHERE HE TOOK PART THE AFGHANISTAN THREAT FANCE CELL (ATFC), WHICH AIMED TO DISPT THE FANCIAL SYSTEMS OF TERRORIST ANIZATNS.IN HIS 2019 TOBGRAPHY, SHORTT WAY HOME, BUTTIGIEG SCRIBED SERVG DANGERO AREAS KABUL: “IN A RUAL TO BE REPEATED DOZENS OF TIM, I WOULD HEAVE MY ARMORED TORSO TO THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF A LAND CISER, CHAMBER A ROUND MY M4, LOCK THE DOORS AND WAVE A GLOVED GOODBYE TO THE MACEDONIAN GATE GUARD,” BUTTIGIEG WROTE. “MY VEHICLE WOULD CROSS OUTSI THE WIRE AND TO THE BOISTERO AFGHAN CY, ENTERG A WORLD FELY MORE TERTG AND ORDARY AND DANGERO THAN OUR ZONE BEHD THE BLAST WALLS AT ISAF HEADQUARTERS.”MOVED BY HIS OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE, 2015, BUTTIGIEG ME OUT AS A GAY MAN.MAYOR OF SOUTH BENDAFTER WNG THE MAYORAL ELECTN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, BUTTIGIEG, THEN JT 29 YEARS OLD, TOOK HIS OFFICE JANUARY 2012 AND BEME THE YOUNGT MAYOR TO SERVE A U.S. CY WH OVER 100,000 RINTS.BUTTIGIEG WAS RE-ELECTED 2015, BUT NOT WHOUT A STA ON HIS RERD: DURG HIS FIRST TERM, FERAL THORI UNVERED THAT SOUTH BEND'S POLICE WERE ILLEGALLY WIRETAPPG SOME OF S OFFICERS' PHONE LLS, UNR THE REQUT OF POLICE CHIEF DARRYL BOYKS. THIS PROMPTED BUTTIGIEG TO NOT ONLY MOTE BOYKS BUT TO LATER ASK FOR HIS RIGNATN. BOYKS, WHO WAS THE CY'S FIRST BLACK POLICE CHIEF, EVENTUALLY SUED THE CY, CLAIMG DISCRIMATN (PREV WHE POLICE CHIEFS PURPORTEDLY NDUCTED THE SAME WIRETAPPG POLICY). THIS NTROVERSIAL EVENT, BUTTIGIEG CLAIMS, WAS HIS "FIRST SER MISTAKE AS MAYOR."DPE ACCG SOME NTROVERSI, BUTTIGIEG ALSO HELPED TRANSFORM THE CY. HE CREATED PROGRAMS TO REPAIR AND CLEAN UP ABANDONED BUILDGS, ASSISTED LOW-G HOG AND PROMOTED URBAN VELOPMENT PROJECTS.BUTTIGIEG LEFT OFFICE AFTER PLETG TWO TERMS, GIVG WAY TO HIS FORMER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE AND CHIEF OF STAFF, JAM MUELLER.POLIL CAREERBUTTIGIEG LACKED THE NAME REGNN AND SUPPORT OF OTHER LEADG DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT WHEN HE FORMALLY LNCHED HIS PRINTIAL MPAIGN APRIL 2019, BUT HE SOON GAED GROUND THANKS TO HIS OBV TELLECT AND CHARISMA, AND TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR HE WAS TRAILG ONLY THE BIG THREE OF JOE BIN, BERNIE SANRS AND ELIZABETH WARREN THE POLLS.MEDIRE FOR ALL WHO WANT ITWHILE THE HEALTHRE BATE AMERI NTU TO BE HEATED AND NTROVERSIAL, BUTTIGIEG TOOK A MIDDLE-GROUND APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE. HE SUPPORTED GIVG AMERINS A CHOICE THEIR HEALTHRE BY PROPOSG AN "OPT " OPTN, WHILE SIMULTANEOLY ALLOWG AMERINS WHO PREFER TO STAY WH PRIVATE SURANCE TO HAVE THAT ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE. BUTTIGIEG'S "MEDIRE FOR ALL WHO WANT IT" NTRASTED WH THE ERNMENT-N SGLE-PAYER PROPOSAL BACKED BY THE MORE PROGRSIVE NDIDAT SUCH AS SANRS AND WARREN.THE DOUGLASS PLANTO ADDRS THE ISSU OF BLACK DISENANCHISEMENT AND REPARATNS, WHICH WERE AMONG THE TOPICS BATED BY 2020 DEMOCRATIC NDIDAT, BUTTIGIEG PROPOSED THE DOUGLASS PLAN. NAMED AFTER THE ABOLNIST AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST FRERICK DOUGLASS, THE PLAN OFFERED IMPROVED HEALTHRE POLICI TO THE BLACK MUNY, GIVG MORE ACCS TO CRED FOR BLACK BS AND ENTREPRENRS, A REVTMENT TN AND SYSTEMATIC CRIMAL JTICE REFORM. WHILE THE DOUGLASS PLAN SPECIFILLY FOCED ON THE NEEDS AND NCERNS OF AIN AMERINS, ALSO SERVED TO AID OTHER DISENANCHISED MORY GROUPS.NATNAL SERVICEBUTTIGIEG CREATED "A NEW CALL TO SERVICE" PLAN THAT ENURAGED HIGH SCHOOL STUNTS TO SERVE NATNAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE PEACE CORPS AND AMERICORPS AND TO ENGAGE SOME OF THE PRSG ISSU OF THE TIM, CLUDG CLIMATE CHANGE, ADDICTN AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSU AND MENTORSHIP. THE U.S. SUPREME COURTIN AN EFFORT TO POLICIZE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, BUTTIGIEG NSIRED THE ALTERNATIVE OF ADDG FIVE MORE JTIC TO THE CURRENT COURT STCTURE. VETTED BY THE LOWER URTS, THE ADDNAL JTIC WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO SERVE AFTER BEG UNANIMOLY VOTED BY THE ORIGAL NE U.S. SUPREME COURT JTIC. BUTTIGIEG ALSO NSIRED TERM LIMS FOR JTIC, SAYG HE WOULD FORM A BIPARTISAN MISSN TO EXPLORE THE BT AND MOST VIABLE OPTNS IF ELECTED PRINT.SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATNON FEBARY 2, 2021, BUTTIGIEG WAS NFIRMED AS PRINT BIN'S SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET SECRETARY. "I'M HONORED AND HUMBLED BY TODAY'S VOTE THE SENATE—AND READY TO GET TO WORK," HE TWEETED.DROPPG OUTALTHOUGH BUTTIGIEG'S MPAIGN WAS SEEMGLY ON STRONG GROUND WHEN HE WON THE NTROVERSIAL IOWA UC EARLY FEBARY 2020, THE NDIDATE WAS UNABLE TO STA THE MOMENTUM THROUGH SUBSEQUENT PRIMARI. ON MARCH 1, AFTER FISHG WELL BEHD BIN AND SANRS SOUTH CAROLA, BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS DROPPG OUT OF THE PRINTIAL RACE."OUR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO UNIFY AMERINS TO FEAT DONALD TMP AND TO W THE ERA FOR OUR VALU," HE TOLD SUPPORTERS. "SO WE MT REGNIZE THAT AT THIS POT THE RACE THE BT WAY TO KEEP FAH WH THOSE GOALS AND IALS IS TO STEP ASI AND TO HELP BRG OUR PARTY AND OUR UNTRY TOGETHER."HBAND AND PERSONAL LIFEBUTTIGIEG MET HIS HBAND, CHASTEN, ON A DATG APP 2015 AND MARRIED HIM THREE YEARS LATER. HAVG EARNED HIS MASTER'S AT DEPL UNIVERSY, CHASTEN BEME A JUNR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND TGHT AT MONTSORI AMY INDIANA. AFTER BUTTIGIEG ANNOUNCED HIS PRINTIAL N, CHASTEN RELQUISHED HIS TEACHG POSN TO TRAVEL WH HIM AND SUPPORT HIS NDIDACY.AN EPISPALIAN, BUTTIGIEG WAS UNIQUE AMONG HIS 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL LLEAGU FOR MAKG HIS CHRISTIAN FAH A RNERSTONE OF HIS POLIL INTY. KNOWN FOR LLG OUT RELIG REPUBLINS WHO VOTE AGAST MEASUR THAT UNRME THE NEEDS OF THE POOR, BUTTIGIEG RECEIVED PRAISE OM SOME AND CRICISM OM OTHERS RELIG CIRCL.HE PUBLICLY LAMBASTED VICE PRINT MIKE PENCE, WHO IS AN EVANGELIL CHRISTIAN, FOR BEG A "CHEERLEAR FOR THE PORN-STAR PRINCY" AND CRICIZED NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO SUPPORTED PRINT TMP."BEE MY PARTY'S BEEN SO ALLERGIC TO RELIG LANGUAGE, WE'VE FOTTEN THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE MA AWARE OF THEIR CHOICE," BUTTIGIEG TOLD CNN. "I'VE GOT TO SPEAK UP, IF ONLY TO POT OUT THE HYPOCRISI OF THOSE NOW POWER. TIME WILL TELL WHETHER THAT'S SMART POLILLY OR NOT."{BORR:0;BORR-BOTTOM:TH SOLID BLACK;MARG:1.875REM 0;CLEAR:BOTH;}QUICK {FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-SIZE:1.1875REM;LE-HEIGHT:1.6;MARG:0.9375REM 0 0 0.625REM;PADDG:0 0 0 1.25REM;}@MEDIA(M-WIDTH: 48REM){{MARG:0.9375REM 0;}} B, STRONG{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} EM{FONT-STYLE:ALIC;FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;} EM, I{FONT-FAY:HER;FONT-STYLE:ALIC;} LI{PADDG-BOTTOM:0.625REM;} STRONG{FONT-FAY:CHARTER,GEIA,TIM,SERIF;FONT-WEIGHT:BOLD;} LI::MARKER{LOR:#323232;}BIRTH YEAR: 1982BIRTH DATE: JANUARY 19, 1982BIRTH STATE: INDIANABIRTH CY: SOUTH BENDBIRTH COUNTRY: UNED STATBT KNOWN FOR: PETE BUTTIGIEG, A FORMER MAYOR OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WAS AMONG THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDAT AND IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATN. HE IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MAN BET SECRETARY.ASTROLOGIL SIGN: CAPRIRNFACT CHECK

He is the first openly gay man bet secretary.

WASHINGTON — Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced Wednday that he was formg a printial exploratory mtee — makg him the first openly gay Democrat to seek the office.

PETE BUTTIGIEG BE FIRST OPENLY GAY DEMOCRAT TO N FOR PRINT

Before Buttigieg, the only openly gay person to n for print was Republin Fred Karger. Buttigieg said that while beg a gay ndidate might not make news the astal ci, certaly still did Indiana, where he has anchored his still-young polil reer.

Has a history of repeatedly sharg unfound nspiraci that man-ma chemils the environment uld be makg children gay or transgenr and g the femizatn of boys and masculizatn of girls. The basels claim that chemils – particularly tap water – uld turn people gay has gaed populary wh nspiracy theorists over the years, most memorably wh nservative rad host Alex Jon, who said chemils the water were “turng the igg’ ogs gay.

The day after Pete Buttigieg won Iowa, the wrer Mark Harris, who is married to the playwright Tony Khner, tweeted: “Even if you support someone else, as I do, the fact that a gay man n w a state uc for Print is a wele tone.

BUTTIGIEG, THE FIRST OPENLY GAY DEMOCRATIC PRINTIAL NDIDATE, WAS HATED BY THE LEFT. WHY?

”Iowa has long been somethg of an outlier – 2004 was among the few Republin ntrolled stat that rejected a nstutnal amendment banng same-sex marriage – but the ia that an openly gay man uld w the Democratic uc there took most Amerins by surprise.

They wnsed a crimal and adly silence om Washgton, pound by snarky jok about a “gay plague”. In the UK, when I was at llege, gay men were still beg arrted for kissg public. We had to wa until we were five years olr than our straight unterparts to have those among who n rell a not-too-distant time when gog to a gay bar still felt dangero, watchg a gay printial ndidate get so far while beg mercilsly pilloried has been a disorientg experience.

His lack of tractn wh black voters, though the end about the same as for Elizabeth Warren, remaed his achill heel to the whatever crics thoughts of his rerd South Bend, much of the nversatn was lored by lurid characterizatns of the way he chose to prent his gay the mpaign, a Slate lumnist characterized Buttigieg as havg “sturdy ti to straight culture”, whatever that means. Then, last July, the New Republic published, then leted, an say by the novelist Dale Peck which exriated Buttigieg as “not the same kd of gay” as Peck, and by implitn many other gay men. The piece was wily nmned, but also praged what has bee a monplace meme on polil Twter: Buttigieg as a gay Uncle Tom whose succs merely reflects his servily to the stat quo.