Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
Fri Jun 28, 2019, 05:56 AM Jun 2019

Don't lose sight of the fact Pete Buttigieg just made history

With more than 20 candidates making a case for why they should be the Democratic nominee for president, it might be tempting to see the whole thing as one big circus. That's certainly been the mood on Twitter the last two nights.

Yet, as NBC's Chuck Todd pointed out, the group of candidates gathered in Miami is the most diverse ever to contend for the presidency — and how. With record numbers of both women and non-white candidates vying for the nomination, the Democratic field has made history.

And for millions of LGBTQ Americans, including myself, seeing the first out candidate take the debate stage as a contender — and a serious one — for president was nothing short of monumental. That Pete Buttigieg, the gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, may have also emerged as one of the night's winners seems like a too-perfect culmination to Pride Month.

In many ways, Buttigieg's ability to run for the nation's highest office owes to the radical transformation of American attitudes about homosexuality over the last several decades.

Yet his run also comes at a moment when that progress feels increasingly less secure. In less than two years, the Trump administration has pursued — with frighteningly little resistance — an aggressively anti-gay agenda, while more than a handful of states have also recently passed or are considering anti-gay legislation. According to the FBI, hate crimes against LGBTQ Americans have risen the past three years. And a new Harris Poll just found decreasing acceptance for LGBTQ persons among young Americans age 18 to 34.

more...

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Don't lose sight of the fact Pete Buttigieg just made history (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Jun 2019 OP
Recommended democrank Jun 2019 #1
I was waiting for them to ask him something IndyOp Jun 2019 #2
After Kamala Harris touched my heart deeply in the debates lambchopp59 Jun 2019 #3

IndyOp

(15,501 posts)
2. I was waiting for them to ask him something
Fri Jun 28, 2019, 08:55 AM
Jun 2019

about LGBTQ issues - but they didn’t. It is fine if he does get that question, but also refreshing that he was not defined by one trait and not expected to represent all LGBTQ individuals.

lambchopp59

(2,809 posts)
3. After Kamala Harris touched my heart deeply in the debates
Fri Jun 28, 2019, 12:11 PM
Jun 2019

Going right back with my first choice all along. Kamala's got the magic, will give Blumpf and ilk no quarter just as I anticipated.
I'd be elated to vote for a Harris/Warren dream ticket. We have too many dire issues to solve for anyone of lukewarm, "let's just get back to normal" candidates.
I'd love to see KH take Blumpf behind the woodshed using his own words: "We're going to have great healthcare".
And I can't bear to read of another baby dying torn from another mother's arms.
Pete will be around, he won't give up, and I'm hoping to watch him do his best Arnie-Terminator imitation this round, with a smile: "I'll be bock".
Buttigieg 2028! I hope we're around to see that celebratory day.
Meantime, I'm off soon to
Have a great Pride celebration, everyone! Come join the fun!

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»Don't lose sight of the f...