From left: Chasten Buttigieg and Ronna McDaniel.Photo: Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Nick Hagen for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Transportation SecretaryPete Buttigieg’s husband,Chasten Buttigieg, was among those pushing back on the chairwoman of the GOP after she tweeted a pro-Pride Month message this week that critics noted was at odds with the party’s priorities.
In response, Chastentweeted backto McDaniel: “Those with ‘deeply held religious beliefs’ are often the parents who force their LGBTQ children out of the home and onto the street. I’ve met with those kids. 40% of homeless youth in this country are LGBTQ.”
He continued: “Re-visit your party’s platform before you open your mouth about#pride.”
A 31-year-old former middle school teacher, Chastenreleased a memoir,I Have Something to Tell You, in 2020. The book covers his life before he met Pete and details the challenges of his earlier years, including what he has described as suicidal thoughts and a period of alienation from his parents because he was gay.
“Life can be really muddy and confusing and heartbreaking,” he previously told PEOPLE ahead of the memoir’s release. “Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath and say, ‘Yeah, this was rough, and I want you to know that.’ "
Other responses to McDaniel’s tweet were also critical, accusing her of hypocrisy for tweeting about Pride while her party backs anti-LGBT measures in various states, particularly targeting transgender people.
“Are you serious right now?“wrote one user. “The GOP is actively passing discriminatory laws all over the country.”
“How do you feel about the record number of anti-transgender bills your party has been enacting across red states this year?“asked another.
As many social media users pointed out, Republicans are behind a number of recent measureslimiting the rights of trans people.
Arkansas recently became the first state to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, one week before Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed legislation that allows doctors to refuse treatment on the basis of religious or moral objections.
In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Leesigned a ban on transgender athletes into law, and the same happened in Mississippi and Arkansas.
The Alabama Senateapproved a billthat would make providing care to trans minors — including gender-affirming surgery, hormones or puberty blockers — a felony.
Pete (left) and Chasten Buttigieg.KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty
However, a vocal minority has also emerged: Registration data shows thousands of Republicans haveleft the partysince the riots, with some former and current lawmakerscalling for a new party.
source: people.com
