Representation is something that’s talked about a lot these days, but is nevertheless an important issue to discuss.
American Politics has historically been reserved for straight, white, upper class men. Yet, the American voters and political science enthusiasts of the country are not limited to one race or gender.
America is a diverse nation of different races and sexualities.
It is important for all Americans to see people like them achieving great things.
When former President Barack Obama was the first black man to be elected to office in 2008, he showed minorities all over the country that politics was for them too. Leadership was for them too. The presidency was for them too .
LGBTQ+ Americans haven’t had positive representation until very recently, especially in the political world.
They couldn’t even get married in this country until 2015.
I grew up in an incredibly politically charged era. I understood the importance of presidential elections before I knew how to read novels, but I never saw politics as a career accessible to someone like me, because I never saw anyone like me in a leadership role.
So when an openly gay political figure announced that he was running for President of the United States of America, it was a big deal.
Pete Buttigieg, Mayer of South Bend, Indiana, announced at a campaign rally yesterday that he is indeed running as a candidate for the 2020 presidential election.
If he wins, he will be the first openly gay President of the United States.
After making the announcement, Buttigieg shared a heartwarming moment with his husband Chasten.
The kiss inspired cheering from the Indiana crowd.
Former mayor of Houston Annise Parker told Mashable that the crowd wasn’t just filled with young people.
“I’m 62 years old ” she said, “I would not have thought to have seen something like that in my lifetime.”
In our current political climate, an event like this is bound to incite conversation.
Some people reveled in the fact that the kiss was a win for left wing politics.
A presidential candidate openly embracing his husband certainly reinforces more inclusive policy.
Others shared how important the moment was for their own lives.
Jordan Roth wrote a very touching response to the rally:
“Dear young gay me: One day you will sit with your husband and watch this happen. Dear young gay now and forever: This will always have happened. This will always be yours.”
Moments like these call for equality, even while the current administration remains unwavering on their homophobia.
Vice President Mike Pence has been extremely vocal on his dangerously bigoted views towards people in the LGBTQ+ community.
He’s even publicly denounced Mayor Buttigieg himself, speaking to CNN about his candidacy:
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I hope that Pete will offer more to the American people than attacks on my Christian faith or attacks on the President as he seeks the highest office in the land. He’d do well to reflect on the importance of respecting the freedom of religion of every American.
Regardless of your opinion on Mayor Buttigieg, we can all agree that representation like this is a step in the right direction.
White gay presidential candidates shouldn’t be the only representation that the LGBTQ+ Community has in the world of politics, but we have to start somewhere.
To repeat what Jordan Roth said, This will always have happened. That’s a win in my book.
