So long, Mayor Pete

Editor,

As a gay man of a certain age who survived the plague, I never thought I would see marriage equality in my lifetime and never thought I would see an openly gay man making a serious run for the Democratic nomination for president.

In these trying times under Trump’s lying, racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, anti-science, homophobic regime, Mayor Pete gave me a reason not to call it a day.

An articulate, wicked-smart Rhodes scholar, Buttigieg is the antithesis of Trump.

While editorials and television pundits have been abundant in their opinions whether a woman, another African American or even a Latino could win the presidency, there was little mainstream talk whether the American people were ready for an openly gay married man for president. It was the elephant in the room that journalists seem to purposely avoid mentioning.

Was it fear of being labeled homophobic or a topic that just made pundits feel uncomfortable? It was strange, given Mayor Pete did not hide his husband from the public, with many photo-ops of him and Chasten embracing during the campaign.

Pete’s mayoral mishandling of African American issues in South Bend and the historic homophobia in black churches in the South did not win him much black support in the South Carolina primary. A mere two percent voted for him.

Homophobia – “the irrational fear of, or aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality.” Like abortion, Trump is using trans and homophobia as a weapon to whip up his white, mostly rural evangelical base.

Obviously, America was not ready for an openly gay president whose married spouse would become First Gentleman. Buttigieg’s resignation from the race came as no surprise after South Carolina. There was simply no chance of winning without greater support from African Americans.

Surprisingly, Trump did not bestow Mayor Pete a nickname. No Pocahontas, Sleepy Joe or Crazy Bernie. Was it because he did not perceive Buttigieg as a political threat? But that threat is real.

Maybe not in 2020, but this self-assured, intelligent war veteran who speaks multiple languages and can talk circles around Trump, changed the political and cultural landscape just by being his openly gay self.

For Americans under 30, his sexual orientation is not an issue. He is a role model, not just to the LGBTQ community but a symbol to all Americans that being your authentic self is a way to success.

Do I think we will have an openly gay president in my lifetime? Absolutely.  

John Rankine