OTP yeah

The fact that one of the big television networks (ABC) runs a segment with the husband of one of the presidential hopefuls is not a big deal. It's election time. The fact that the segment goes to the 'better half' of one of the candidates and recognizes how groundbreaking their situation is at this moment in the country because he is married to Pete Buttigieg is, nevertheless, a big deal to me.

They bring up the idea that 21% of Americans would not vote for a gay president and also the smarmy comments made by Rush Limbaugh (barf) that Americans are not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the presidential stage. As if the GOP (or Rush) would have any moral ground to stand on to criticize this couple. And Chasten and Pete swat those comments aside noting how hypocritically ludicrous they are.

Chasten is right when he mentions that he has heard the comments Rush and others have made before. Many of us have. Being a gay man and not being perceived as 'masculine' enough or fearing the effects coming out could have in family and friends or having someone take advantage of us just because of who we are is a feeling some of us have experienced in life. He's right when he says that no matter the outcomes of the election, he already feels victorious. And so do I.

And just recently, in the campaign trail, Pete found a nine year old that asked him for advice on how to come out. A nine year old. So Pete may be the ant-IMPOTUS already. If Cheeto stands for a smarmy notion of what being a man is, Pete and Chasten stand for something much more laudable: an idea of hope that may be the seed of better things to come.

Pete Buttigieg may not become America's next president and Chasten may not be the next First Gentleman but ground has been broken and it's been proven that even with that 21% of bigots still mouthbreathing somewhere in the country, progress has been made.


XOXO

P.S. don't forget to Vote Blue No Matter Who.