South Bend Mayor Peter Buttigieg comes out as gay.

[retromike22]

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/south-bend-mayor-pete-buttigieg-gay-119073.html?hp=l3_4

U.S. Navy + Rhodes Scholar

[Landslide Lyndon]

Is that his real name?

[CountryClassSF]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

Because of contact theory and representation matters.

[The Dowager Mod]

While I applaud his actions, I would have been more impressed if he had done it before the primary.

[Torie]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

He was announcing it to his constituents, not the planet. It's part of who he is, his resume. Sure, it would be better, in a more perfect world, if he just mentioned it in passing, or had a partner whom he introduced.

[afleitch]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

You know, you talk about how you're not comfortable being gay more than people who are comfortable being gay talk about it. I have no idea why you have to announce this to the forum on almost a daily basis unless you're nothing but an attention seeking whiner.

[CountryClassSF]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

He was announcing it to his constituents, not the planet. It's part of who he is, his resume. Sure, it would be better, in a more perfect world, if he just mentioned it in passing, or had a partner whom he introduced.

You know something?.. I fully agree with you.

Problem is, the media would still do a fluff piece on him "coming out." Simply mentioning the fact that you have a same-sex partner is essentially a coming out story to the press

[The Other Castro]

I do not understand why complete strangers have to announce this information to the world.

He was announcing it to his constituents, not the planet. It's part of who he is, his resume. Sure, it would be better, in a more perfect world, if he just mentioned it in passing, or had a partner whom he introduced.

You know something?.. I fully agree with you.

Problem is, the media would still do a fluff piece on him "coming out." Simply mentioning the fact that you have a same-sex partner is essentially a coming out story to the press

And?

[CountryClassSF]

If there is to be a genuine equality, the sexuality has to be equal to heterosexuality.  That means not "congratulating" someone for something they didn't choose or can't control, or heralding the person for their non-choice.

[Zioneer]

If there is to be a genuine equality, the sexuality has to be equal to heterosexuality.  That means not "congratulating" someone for something they didn't choose or can't control, or heralding the person for their non-choice.

But heterosexuality is assumed as the default and thus has an institutional cultural advantage. LGBT doesn't have that advantage, thus in an imperfect world, it doesn't have genuine equality and thus is noteworthy when it's announced.

[CountryClassSF]

But heterosexuality is assumed as the default and thus has an institutional cultural advantage. LGBT doesn't have that advantage, thus in an imperfect world, it doesn't have genuine equality and thus is noteworthy when it's announced.

I'll surprise you, but I think it is true, that parents assuming their child is heterosexual automatically, is probably something that would be better as a society to happen less. 

But its not homophobia, it's assumption, and maybe it is institutional. But its not hate based.  It's happening less now than it ever has.

But, let's be real, coming out as gay is now a benefit to one's life/career, particularly for athletes.

[Knives]

But heterosexuality is assumed as the default and thus has an institutional cultural advantage. LGBT doesn't have that advantage, thus in an imperfect world, it doesn't have genuine equality and thus is noteworthy when it's announced.

I'll surprise you, but I think it is true, that parents assuming their child is heterosexual automatically, is probably something that would be better as a society to happen less. 

But its not homophobia, it's assumption, and maybe it is institutional. But its not hate based.  It's happening less now than it ever has.

But, let's be real, coming out as gay is now a benefit to one's life/career, particularly for athletes.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Congrats to him! And yes, he's definitely going to run for Senator at minimum one day.

[Badger]

Congrats to him! And yes, he's definitely going to run for Senator at minimum one day.

it better be in another state if he expects to win.

[afleitch]

If there is to be a genuine equality, the sexuality has to be equal to heterosexuality.

Yet you oppose equal marriage...

[CountryClassSF]

Congrats to him! And yes, he's definitely going to run for Senator at minimum one day.

Why do you "congratulate" people for their sexual habits?

[publicunofficial]

But heterosexuality is assumed as the default and thus has an institutional cultural advantage. LGBT doesn't have that advantage, thus in an imperfect world, it doesn't have genuine equality and thus is noteworthy when it's announced.

I'll surprise you, but I think it is true, that parents assuming their child is heterosexual automatically, is probably something that would be better as a society to happen less. 

But its not homophobia, it's assumption, and maybe it is institutional. But its not hate based.  It's happening less now than it ever has.

But, let's be real, coming out as gay is now a benefit to one's life/career, particularly for athletes.

True, look at how well Michael Sam's career took off after he came out.

[Senate Minority Leader Lord Voldemort]

But heterosexuality is assumed as the default and thus has an institutional cultural advantage. LGBT doesn't have that advantage, thus in an imperfect world, it doesn't have genuine equality and thus is noteworthy when it's announced.

I'll surprise you, but I think it is true, that parents assuming their child is heterosexual automatically, is probably something that would be better as a society to happen less. 

But its not homophobia, it's assumption, and maybe it is institutional. But its not hate based.  It's happening less now than it ever has.

But, let's be real, coming out as gay is now a benefit to one's life/career, particularly for athletes.

True, look at how well Michael Sam's career took off after he came out.

And Jason Collins skyrocketed...

...right out the door.

[SATW]

Good for him. I disagree with his politics on a decent amount of issues, but he seems like a good guy. Thank you for serving in the military, Mr. Buttigieg.

[Badger]

Congrats to him! And yes, he's definitely going to run for Senator at minimum one day.

Why do you "congratulate" people for their sexual habits?

We congragulate people for coming out of the closet for the courage to risk homophobia (especially for a politician), ostracism from family, friends, workmates, neighbors, etc., and above all their own willingness to accept themselves despite every sociatal pressure in the world telling them not to, so they can finally quit living a lie and instead live honestly.

take careful notes and learn something.

[Holmes]

Remember when CountryClassSF was gay? I guess the person behind that sock forget that detail because even the most conservative of gays understand the risk involved in coming out.

[KingSweden]

Congrats to him! And yes, he's definitely going to run for Senator at minimum one day.

Why do you "congratulate" people for their sexual habits?

We congragulate people for coming out of the closet for the courage to risk homophobia (especially for a politician), ostracism from family, friends, workmates, neighbors, etc., and above all their own willingness to accept themselves despite every sociatal pressure in the world telling them not to, so they can finally quit living a lie and instead live honestly.

take careful notes and learn something.

Exactly. Everyone deserves the chance to be comfortable in their own skin. I couldn't have said it better myself.