THREAD
Yes, Mayor Pete made history as the first openly gay presidential candidate to break through top tier.
i celebrated that early on last year, shortly after having him on my show. and thought it would be important to make sure he at least lasted until the first debate.
Yes, Mayor Pete made history as the first openly gay presidential candidate to break through top tier.
i celebrated that early on last year, shortly after having him on my show. and thought it would be important to make sure he at least lasted until the first debate.
It was powerful that he got so much further.
But while first excited, many — not all, but many -- LGBTQ people lost enthusiasm for him.
This has been attributed by some in the media to a rather superficial argument over whether he was "gay enough" or too "heteronormative."
But while first excited, many — not all, but many -- LGBTQ people lost enthusiasm for him.
This has been attributed by some in the media to a rather superficial argument over whether he was "gay enough" or too "heteronormative."
To be sure, that was a real discussion, but it obscured the larger tension in the LGBTQ community.
Mayor Pete began his candidacy as a progressive, supporting M4A and speaking loudly about expanding the Supreme Court.
Mayor Pete began his candidacy as a progressive, supporting M4A and speaking loudly about expanding the Supreme Court.
In addition, he took on Mike Pence, and proudly discussed his marriage, and challenged religious bigotry.
This excited many LGBTQ voters — all LGBTQ people and their supporters I’m sure — we were grateful to see it.
This excited many LGBTQ voters — all LGBTQ people and their supporters I’m sure — we were grateful to see it.
But the troubles in South Bend regarding the police and African-Americans cast him a different light.
Rather than drop out and deal with the serious issues -- having already gotten much attention and a spotlight for a promising future -- he papered over it and marched on.
Rather than drop out and deal with the serious issues -- having already gotten much attention and a spotlight for a promising future -- he papered over it and marched on.
Then he began moving to the center, no longer supporting M4A, no longer talking loudly about issues like Supreme Court reform.
He proudly allowed himself to be defined as one of the "moderates" by the media.
He proudly allowed himself to be defined as one of the "moderates" by the media.
All of this not only alienated many progressives, but also many LGBTQ voters -- who tend to be very progressive.
It certainly caused much tension amongLGBTQ people of color, and also among a larger group of progressive gay men, lesbians, bisexual people and transgender people.
It certainly caused much tension amongLGBTQ people of color, and also among a larger group of progressive gay men, lesbians, bisexual people and transgender people.
In a few polls, Elizabeth Warren appeared to have the majority of LGBTQ vote; and Bernie Sanders took a majority in one poll as well.
Again, not all LGBTQ people, but their policies represented more of what the majority supported.
Again, not all LGBTQ people, but their policies represented more of what the majority supported.
If it's a mark of progress that a gay man came this far in a presidential race, then it should be an example of progress and maturity of the LGBTQ electorate that they gravitate toward a candidate who stands for the issues they believe in, and not one who simply is gay.
It wasn't that Mayor Pete wasn't "gay enough.”
It was that his policies -- which went from vague to becoming more conservatively defined — or literally moved from one place to another — weren't enough for the gays.
End.
It was that his policies -- which went from vague to becoming more conservatively defined — or literally moved from one place to another — weren't enough for the gays.
End.
