Buttigieg Becomes America’s First Out Cabinet Member

Pete Buttigieg, formerly known as Mayor Pete, is now the country’s first openly LGBTQ+ person to be nominated for a cabinet position and confirmed by Senate.  Buttigieg was confirmed as the Secretary of Transportation by a bipartisan vote of 86 to 13.

In just two short years, Buttigieg has scaled the political ladder, from the Mayor of the small town of South Bend Indiana to a cabinet member. In the Spring of 2019, he became the first out Democratic presidential candidate, followed by becoming the first to ever win a major party’s state primary or delegates in January 2020. After dropping out in March, he became one of the top surrogates for Joe Biden’s eventually successful campaign.

“Part of what’s going to matter is for us to not only to win back the White House but other offices,” Buttigieg told LGBTQ Nation right before the election ended. “It sends a message to the GOP in the only language they understand, the language of power.”

Not only is Buttigieg the first openly LGBTQ+ cabinet member, but he is also one of the highest-ranking out politicians to hold office in American history.

“Pete shattered a centuries-old political barrier with overwhelming bipartisan support and that paves the way for more LGBTQ Americans to pursue high-profile appointments,” Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, said. “Pete testifying at his confirmation hearing, with his husband looking on, will be among the powerful images that define this unprecedented political moment and will be remembered as a milestone in America’s move toward social justice.”

When President Biden initially nominated Buttigieg he said “I got to know Pete on the campaign trail. He is one of the smartest people you’ll ever meet and one of the most humble.

“A mayor from the heartland, a management expert, a policy wonk with a big heart, a veteran, a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, an intelligence officer deployed to Afghanistan while he was mayor. A new voice with new ideas, determined to move past old politics,” The President continued.

In his opening statement for his confirmation hearings, Buttigieg took the historic moment to thank his husband.

“I’d like to take a moment to introduce my husband Chasten Buttigieg, who is here with me today,” Pete said. “I’m really proud to have him by my side. I also want to take this chance to thank him for his many sacrifices and his support in making it possible for me to pursue public service.”