Activists say they want to hear more from Pete Buttigieg about LGBTQ issues as they survey the 2020 field
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Friday’s LGBTQ Presidential Forum had the feeling of a home game for Pete Buttigieg, who was introduced as “a member of our community” to a rousing standing ovation. But that enthusiasm for Buttigieg has not guaranteed him a lock on this voting bloc in Iowa.
Buttigieg has not always put his sexual orientation at the center of his presidential bid, rather listing it as one of several aspects that makes him unique in the sprawling 2020 presidential field. Though he shot to prominence partly by criticizing Vice President Mike Pence’s attitude toward same-sex marriage, he now will tick through a number of biographical labels as he introduces himself on the trail: millennial, gay, left-handed, veteran, mayor.
“Not everybody agrees with his positions, not everybody in the LGBTQ community is going to support him and we don’t expect that,” said Parker, who is among nearly 60 mayors and former mayors who have endorsed Buttigieg. “But there is a core base of LGBTQ support that has propelled him.” “There isn’t much in policy or in talking about issues that pertains to this community, especially the trans community, so I know there’s been a lot of disappointment around that,” said Kasi Rupert, president of the Linden County Stonewall Democrats. “A lot of people want him to take more responsibility in talking about the LGBTQ community.”
Indeed, POLITICO obtained email documentation that Buttigieg’s campaign had initially declined an invitation to the LGBTQ forum Friday night, sponsored by GLAAD and One Iowa. But Buttigieg ultimately decided to participate. “Clearly there’s some political strategy behind his decision on what to prioritize, and when you think of LGBTQ activists, they’re on a spectrum of whether they think this should be his single issue,” Imborek continued. “But I think he has the potential to be a valid candidate who has a good chance at being president and also be gay.
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