You’ve likely heard by now that Pete Buttigieg officially announced his candidacy for president during an impassioned speech in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday.
During his 36-minute ceremonial speech, the openly gay Mayor of South Bend talked about everything from the economy to intergenerational justice to climate change to equality for all.
.@PeteButtigieg: "My name is Pete Buttigieg. They call be Mayor Pete. I am a proud son of South Bend, Indiana and I am running for President of the United States." pic.twitter.com/YHPFnUy2ep
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 15, 2019
At the end of the speech, he and his husband Chasten Buttigieg shared a kiss and received a huge round of applause from the crowd, as well as from people on Twitter.
Oh, and then his campaign raised $1 million in, like, three hours or something crazy like that.
It was pretty damn historic.
And now, the responses…
This is a BFD.
It sends a message to every gay/queer kid in America that they can be out and proud, and achieve anything they want.
I’m still amazed I got to see this in my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/UULyUuDJH7
— Lana Del Gay-West ?????? (@McClellandShane) April 15, 2019
These words make me very, very happy.
“My name is @PeteButtigieg. They call me Mayor Pete. I am a proud son of South Bend, Indiana. And I am running for President of the United States.”
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 14, 2019
Since delivering his announcement speech, Pete Buttigieg has raised more than $1 million from supporters, according to his communications adviser
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) April 15, 2019
Don’t know exactly why, but us Latinos love when when a non-Latino speaks Spanish. I think it has to do with community and pride for our culture. And we love Mayor Peter. Adelante, alcalde Pedro!!!
— Fidelio (@Fidelio012) April 15, 2019
I look at this image and I just think about the number men and women before us who risked everything, including their lives, so @PeteButtigieg could have this moment with his amazing husband @Chas10Buttigieg . Harvey Milk would be so proud. ?????? #ProudHomo pic.twitter.com/DATYaxaEir
— Ryan Robison (@ryrobison) April 15, 2019
Surreal to see a gay man running for President with his husband by his side. If you told me this would be possible as a kid when I deeply hated who I was and would have done anything to change it I’d never have believed you. pic.twitter.com/jfnhq2s4hf
— Calvin (@calvinstowell) April 14, 2019
The amount of love and support I see @PeteButtigieg getting from not only the people in South Bend warms my heart. I don’t think we could as for a better candidate for president, I’m so proud and so HONOURED to be apart of this movement. #PeteForAmerica ???
— Annastasia ? (@AnnaBreanne) April 15, 2019
Without Obama and Hillary, there’d be no @PeteButtigieg. I’m thinking a lot about that right now.
It’s not just the LGBTQ heroes that made this campaign possible— It’s anyone who challenged the norms of politics as we know it.
That’s intersectionality at its best.
— Peter Fox (@thatpeterfox) April 15, 2019
I’m already seeing the negative takes, and today I’m letting them go without comment. Today an openly gay man officially announced his candidacy for President, was taken seriously and celebrated for it. I did not think I would see it this soon, if ever, and today I am happy.
— Daniel Summers (@WFKARS) April 15, 2019
We need @PeteButtigieg so that people can associate Indiana with someone infinitely better than Pence !!
— bobby slick (@priyasommers) April 15, 2019
THIS. IS. HISTORIC.
We just watched an openly gay candidate for president kiss and embrace his husband in public!!
As a gay man, @PeteButtigieg & @Chas10Buttigieg display of their love to the world brings such a sense of happiness and pride to me. pic.twitter.com/mEanqUJ7JN
— Dustin Ginsberg (@DustinGinsberg) April 14, 2019
I love this photo of Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten Glezman. It sends a powerful message to every gay kid in the world that they can be anything they want to be, no matter what people tell them. pic.twitter.com/lkTq6Dsb3w
— Tom Knight (@TJ_Knight) April 15, 2019
A candidate for the most powerful job in the world, proudly displaying the love for his husband. A message to every gay kid in America that they can be anything they want to be. Even president. pic.twitter.com/Z13TtQl8ZH
— Benjamin Butterworth (@benjaminbutter) April 14, 2019
Pete Buttigieg: “Take it from Chasten and me, you’re not free if the county clerk gets to tell you who you ought to marry because of their idea, their political beliefs” pic.twitter.com/6tmaWLwIb9
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) April 15, 2019
Happy @PeteButtigieg Day! The First Openly Gay Man Announcing His Run To Become President of The United States. #HarveyMilk had hope that this day would arrive. And here we are. #LGBTHistory #Pete202 Our Story Changes Today. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/40sfoXfr4e
— LGBT4Pete (@LGBT4Pete) April 14, 2019
Related: Mayor Pete kissed his husband after he announced his campaign & it brought LGBTQ people to tears
AgainNagain
Man what an exciting thing to see two men hug more than just half a second in front of a huge crowd. He is the real deal. Donation now!
Billy Budd
Fabulous. Let’s make america gay not again, but forever.
DCguy
Then Disney and Fox will get a hold of the speech and edit out the kiss.
Virpilosus
No words to properly express my pride over Mayor Pete. He’ll get my donation very soon!
wineguy
As a proud gay American I am so thrilled to see this day arrive. However, as amazing as it is and the joy in celebrating this time in our LGBTQ history, it is a LONG shot he will ever be elected and IF he is, the attack’s on the LGBTQ community by the far right wing TRUMPERS will be horrible.
AgainNagain
Mayor Pete has said that he is quite experienced in and fully prepared with dealing with the homophobes. Yes there will be lots of attacks but he can handle them just fine.
OhNoYouDont
As a “Proud Gay American” you should realize it was those that pushed back at The Stonewall that started our fight for equality…..not those that didn’t want to ruffle any feathers
AgainNagain
Come on OhNoyou, You and many old folks have given too much credit to the Stonewall thing. Yes it triggered something bigger but that was needed at that time. Fast forward to 2019, we don’t need another riot or revolution. We already got gay marriage and we should aim for anti-discrimination rights going forward.
Gary Q VV
Yeah, your concerns are valid. But, we must push on and face adversity head on. No foe will be too powerful to stop the Queer Rights Initiative, especially if we stay organized and smart.
wineguy
My comment about the attacks are not referring to Mayor Pete. It’s referred to about our community.
fur_hunter
This brings tears to my eyes. I cannot believe I have lived long enough to witness this event. I was 24 when Stonewall happened in June of 1969 and I knew even before then that it was going to be a very long and hard struggle to get civil rights for the Gay Community. But I have seen Gay Marriage legalized in 2015 and now, to see an openly gay man running for the highest office in the land. WOW!!! How amazing. WOW! I am ecstatic.
kirkthompson
Aside from the fact that he’s gay (which is awesome) he is the most intelligent, articulate, well-rounded candidate running. I have donated. I will donate again. And I will cheer this fine young man on to victory.
fur_hunter
You are so correct. I have seen several interviews with him and he is right on the ball with answers and NEVER dodges any of them. None of this beat around the bush crap that most politicians do. I wish him well.
Hdtex
Already his supporters are as insufferable as BernieBots.
mz.sam
So P-R-O-U-D! Hey America…donate Pete for America NOW!
Gary Q VV
You bet! Every dollar helps in a grassroots contributions campaign. No amount’s too small. $3 a month would be great and immensely helpful.
Gary Q VV
I’m very thankful that Mayor Pete’s in the race. His interviews, speeches, and writings show his drive to aspire to his longtime, multifacited dreams. And, he’ll be taking the LGBTQ community right along with him. What’s now happening is that his social cohesion is expanding exponentially to include a broad spectrum of our American demographic society. Doesn’t feel good, hopeful, and inclusive? There’s been some positive paradigm shift in the favorability ratings for Queers of late. And, Pete Buttigieg is our Knight in Shining Armor.
Blackceo
Pete Buttigieg is not even in my top tier of candidates I will be supporting, but that was a great scene for sure.