Republican pundit: Pete Buttigieg ‘made gayness an issue’ by kissing husband
L – Donald Trump kisses his wife, Melania Trump.
A Republican pundit is facing a backlash after claiming that gay Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg had made his sexuality “a huge issue” by kissing his husband.
Conservative radio host Chandelle Summer appeared on MSNBC on Sunday (April 28) to speak about Buttigieg’s chances in 2020, after several Democratic primary polls found him in third place.
Speaking about the South Bend mayor, Summer claimed it was “unusual for a Presidential candidate” to kiss their spouse on-stage, after Buttigieg shared a moment with husband Chasten at his April 14 campaign launch.
Pundit: Pete Buttigieg ‘made his gayness an issue’
She claimed: “Clearly, Pete Buttigieg has made his gayness an issue in this campaign.
“He’s brought his husband up on stage, they shared a kiss during his announcement during his announcement that he intends to run for President.”
Spot the one that’s a ‘huge issue’: Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Beto O’Rourke and Pete Buttigieg kiss their spouses. (Getty)
MSNBC anchor Kendis Gibson challenged the comments, pointing out: “He’s made his gayness an issue as much as a straight couple has made their straightness an issue.
“He barely mentioned he was a gay person during his speech to declare his candidacy.”
However, Summer continued: “I think he made it a huge issue. He talked about his spouse, Chasten, and the fact that they were married. Let’s be real, this is not a typical candidate.
“We haven’t had a gay candidate ever in the history of the United States. He made it an issue.
Here’s the other guest, Chandelle Summer, saying that @PeteButtigieg “made his gayness an issue in this campaign” by inviting @Chas10Buttigieg to the stage and sharing a kiss with him. “He could’ve said nothing and people would speculate about it, but he made it an issue.” pic.twitter.com/MCDdFRPzzU
— Matthew Vines (@VinesMatthew) April 28, 2019
“He could have ignored it, he could have said nothing and people would speculate about it, but he made it an issue. He wants that to be an identifier.”
Gibson pushed back: “All he did was do what many other straight couples have done. He didn’t necessarily make it an issue there.”
‘Offensive remarks’ called out
Gay commentator Matthew Vines, who also appeared in the segment, pointed out that nearly every Presidential candidate kisses their spouse at campaign rallies.
After the segment, Vines took to Twitter to call out Summer’s comments.
He said: “The other guest made some pretty offensive remarks, unfortunately, but I was grateful for the opportunity to share a positive message about LGBTQ Christians.”
“Despite [Summer’s comments], I was glad to be able to share a positive message about being Christian & LGBTQ and how Pete’s candidacy provides an opportunity for more Christians to reconsider their views about the Bible and same-sex relationships. (And to realize that being gay is not a sin!)”
Her comments come after evangelical preacher Franklin Graham hit out at Buttigieg for “flaunting” his sexuality, suggesting he will face “eternal damnation.”
Graham, who preached at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, hit out at Buttigieg in a Facebook post on Tuesday (April 23) after the gay Democrat spoke about his faith and sexuality during a CNN town hall on Monday (April 22).
Graham wrote: “Mayor Buttigieg says he is a gay Christian and he wants to unite people behind him. I’m sure there will be many people who will want to follow. But as a Christian I believe what the Bible says.
“God’s Word defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised, or politicized. The Bible defines marriage as between a man and a woman—not two men, not two women.”
