Pete Buttigieg warns ‘LGBTQ equality is on the ballot’ ahead of US election
"We need to be clear with anyone who considers themselves an ally".
Pete Buttigieg has warned “LGBTQ+ equality is on the ballot” ahead of the US election.
The former Democratic hopeful dropped out of the presidential race in March 2020.
Now, Republican Donald Trump goes head to head with Democrat Joe Biden on 3 November.
(That’s just 22 days, btw).
Taking to Twitter last night as various US states approach/pass voter registration deadlines, Buttigieg reminded followers: “We need to be clear with anyone who considers themselves an ally: LGBTQ+ equality is on the ballot.”
Truer words never spoken.
We need to be clear with anyone who considers themselves an ally: LGBTQ+ equality is on the ballot.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 11, 2020
“While every struggle is different, every struggle is connected”
The politician also marked National Coming Out Day yesterday with a series of tweets, saying: “While every struggle is different, every struggle is connected. So whether you’ve been out for decades, today is your day, or you’re still not ready – know that there is a big, diverse community where you belong.”
He added: “Coming out means being vulnerable, and placing your trust in another person. I know the courage it takes, and I’m humbled by that trust anytime someone shares with me – sometimes as soon as we meet – that they are in the process of coming out as LGBTQ+.”
Coming out means being vulnerable, and placing your trust in another person. I know the courage it takes, and I’m humbled by that trust anytime someone shares with me—sometimes as soon as we meet—that they are in the process of coming out as LGBTQ+.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 11, 2020
While every struggle is different, every struggle is connected. So whether you’ve been out for decades, today is your day, or you’re still not ready—know that there is a big, diverse community where you belong. #NationalComingOutDay
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 11, 2020
The tweets follow the 38-year-old throwing shade at Trump for refusing to participate in a second presidential debate against Biden – this time virtual.
“Well it’s too bad,” said Buttigieg last week (on Fox of all places). “I don’t know why the president’s afraid to participate in a debate. All of us have had to get used to virtual formats […].”
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“It’s not something I think most of us enjoy, but it’s a safety measure,” he added. “And I think part of why the US is falling behind, is badly behind the rest of the developed world on dealing with the pandemic is because every time there’s been a choice between doing something that’s more safe, or less safe, this president seems to push forward less safe.”
“A blatant political maneuver”
A page on the Human Rights Campaign website titled ‘Trump’s Timeline of Hate‘ lists every action of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that was harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
For instance, on July 26, 2017 “Trump made the dangerous and unpatriotic move to reinstate a ban on qualified transgender people serving in the military. His reprehensible action, announced in a series of tweets, could result in the discharge of more than 15,000 transgender Americans currently serving our country. The move, a blatant political maneuver to appeal to the most radical in Trump’s base, will undermine military morale and readiness.”