Pete Buttigieg gave us hope

"You have to give them hope.  Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great.  Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up.  And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward.  It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.  So if there is a message I have to give, it is that I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light.  And you and you and you, you have to give people hope."  Those words spoken by the late San Francisco County Supervisor Harvey Milk back in 1977, still ring true today.  Pete Buttigieg gave us hope.

 

By now you most certainly know that former South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg ended his presidential bid last night.  Buttigieg has made it clear for some time that he was not willing to run just for the sake of running.  He was indeed in it to win, but the numbers just weren't there, so he withdrew.  Still it stings.  I must admit that I cried.  Was it because Pete is gay that I cared so much or that he is proud of his faith?  There may be a little of that, but in the end I think it is because he spoke to me and to us ALL.  He made a difference.  We could relate to him.

 

Last night American Horror Story star Billy Eichner said: “As someone who’s dealt with fewer opportunities in my chosen industry for being openly gay years before that was welcome, I’m grateful to Pete Buttigieg and Chasten Buttigieg for ignoring the odds and assumptions and creating a path for LGBTQ in politics that simply did not exist."

During a campaign event last month, nine-year-old Zachary Ro wrote in a submitted question, Thank you for being so brave.  I want to be brave like you."  Pete invited the young boy onstage and told him, "I don't think you need a lot of advice from me on bravery. You seem pretty strong to me."  I have no doubt at all that Pete gave Zachary hope.

Tom Steyer, who earlier had also ended his presidential bid said "Pete Buttigieg brought a fresh perspective and sense of optimism to the race.  His call for inclusivity is laudable. As the first openly gay candidate to mount a major bid, he has proven we aren’t limited by who we love."  Indeed.

I don't pretend to see the future, but I am certain Pete Buttigieg can continue making a difference.  There are so many ways he can continue to be of service.  This morning though, I am just very glad he came our way.  He gave us hope.