Chasten Buttigieg responds to Rush Limbaugh in a way befitting the potential First Gentleman
Chasten Buttigieg spoke on the ABC interview series ‘Running Mates’ (Twitter/@Chas10Buttigieg)
Chasten Buttigieg has responded to the repeated homophobic critique from Rush Limbaugh in a manner perfectly befitting the potential first gentleman of the United States.
Over the past few weeks Limbaugh has appeared to be fixated with the fact that Pete Buttigieg “frequently” kisses his husband, repeatedly referencing this fact on his right-wing radio show.
Referring to Buttigieg as “booty judge”, he questioned how parents would be able to explain this show of public affection to their children and suggested that America was “still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage president”.
Last week Buttigieg hit back saying that he wouldn’t be taking lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, and now his husband Chasten has had his say, too.
Appearing on the ABC interview series Running Mates, which focuses on the spouses of presidential candidates, Chasten shrugged off Limbaugh’s comments but admitted he worries about their impact on LGBT+ youth.
“Look, this isn’t new. I’ve been dealing with this my whole life. I dealt with a multitude of Rush Limbaughs when I was walking through the hallways of my high school,” he said.
“And you have to realise that LGBTQ Americans have to come out every single day, when someone asks who we’re married to, when someone asks about our partner, or you feel like you want to share something about yourself. But then you have to second guess how that person’s going to react if I say, ‘Well my husband,’ instead of my wife.
“I’ve been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life. What I’m actually worried about are the young people in this country who are watching the historic nature of this campaign and watching how people talk about it, watching how people react to it and wondering if this country is actually a safe place for them to be.”
I’ve been dealing with the likes of Rush Limbaugh my entire life. I’m most worried about young people who hear that kind of hate and wonder if they belong. We need to restore moral leadership in the White House and build a kinder, more inclusive country.pic.twitter.com/YGk3m19l9A
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chas10Buttigieg) February 21, 2020
The mental health of LGBT+ youth has been proven to be directly impacted by high-profile commentary on LGBT+ issues. Conversely, research has indicated a significant drop in LGBT+ suicides in the six months after marriage equality was passed in the US.
Having positive, visible role models such as Pete and Chasten Buttigieg can make all the difference in reducing feelings of stigma and isolation as they battle the Rush Limbaughs of the world.
