In a bid to challenge the long-standing anti-LGBTQ+ views of conservative House Speaker Mike Johnson, Pete Buttigieg, the openly gay US transportation secretary, has extended an intriguing invitation. On a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Buttigieg hinted at the possibility of hosting Johnson at his home, which is conveniently located near the Capitol, to offer him a firsthand look at the joys of a same-sex marriage.
Years of Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric
Buttigieg’s move comes in response to a history of disturbing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from Johnson during his tenure in government. Johnson has previously advocated for the criminalization of gay sex and made inflammatory claims about the LGBTQ+ community’s impact on society, even suggesting a link between homosexuality and the decline of the Roman Empire.
In recent times, Johnson has attempted to distance himself from these comments, asserting that he “loves all people” and has conveniently forgotten some of his past statements regarding LGBTQ+ individuals. However, old editorials authored by Johnson continue to resurface, revealing his beliefs that homosexuality is “inherently unnatural” and poses a threat to democracy.
Buttigieg’s Family Life
Pete Buttigieg, who publicly came out as gay in 2015, hopes that by welcoming Johnson into his home, he can illustrate that LGBTQ+ family life is far from the “dark harbinger of chaos” that Johnson has portrayed it to be. Buttigieg describes the daily chaos of family life, including daycare pickups, dinner preparation, and caring for his young twins, Penelope Rose and Joseph August, with his husband Chasten Glezman.
He emphasizes that while it may be chaotic, nothing about LGBTQ+ family life is “dark.” When asked about Johnson’s controversial remarks, Buttigieg reflects on the difficulty of passing the US Capitol Building, where the speaker’s office resides, knowing that Johnson has questioned the very existence of his family.
Backlash and Resilience
In a recent development, House Republicans, led by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump supporter, attempted to reduce Buttigieg’s salary as transportation secretary to a mere $1 as part of an amendment to a spending bill. While the amendment passed by voice vote, it faces an uphill battle for approval in the full House and is unlikely to be endorsed by the Senate, as reported by The Hill.
Buttigieg’s bold move to extend an invitation to Johnson reflects the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ acceptance and rights in the United States. It highlights the importance of personal connections and empathy in fostering understanding and combatting prejudice in society.