In a moment of quiet history making, Pete Buttigieg – the first out gay nominee for a Cabinet secretary position – began his confirmation hearing with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee by thanking his husband for his support.
“I’d like to take a moment to introduce my husband Chasten Buttigieg, who is here with me today,” said the Transportation Secretary nominee with Chasten sitting nearby. “I’m really proud to have him by my side.”
“I also want to take this chance to thank him for his many sacrifices and his support in making it possible for me to pursue public service.”
Many on social media noted how seeing a gay Cabinet nominee introduce his husband would have meant a lot to them growing up.
By the way – for those wondering, Buttigieg’s committee appearance went VERY well.
#Forward
So proud to watch this historic moment as our friend @PeteButtigieg, the nation’s first openly gay cabinet secretary nominee, introduces his husband, @Chasten, during Pete Buttigieg’s Transportation Secretary confirmation hearing. 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜pic.twitter.com/uUsSRb2CDp
— Equality California (@eqca) January 21, 2021
If I’d been a kid and seen the popular gay news anchor Rachel Maddow anchoring a presidential inauguration and heard her refer to “likely Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband” it honestly would have changed my whole life.
— Liam Stack (@liamstack) January 20, 2021
The first presidential election I voted in was 1996. It would have been unthinkable for an openly gay man to sit on the inauguration platform with his husband. To hear “Pete Buttigieg and his husband” during television coverage made me smile. We’ve made some progress. pic.twitter.com/csefxtmh0l
— Matthew, Inaugurated (@TeachToArmorica) January 21, 2021
Here at @PeteButtigieg ‘s commerce committee confirmation hearing for Transportation Secretary. He has very strong bipartisan senate support already and I look forward to working with him! Great to see @Chasten here as well!
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 21, 2021
Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg says in opening statement that “misguided policies and missed opportunities in transportation can reinforce racial and economic inequality, by dividing or isolating neighborhoods” https://t.co/23V91I8u7Q pic.twitter.com/DUUMm7fiNM
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 21, 2021
Senator Jon Tester with some glowing praise for Buttigieg:
“You have put on a clinic on how a nominee should work and act. You haven’t avoided the questions. You’ve been straightforward. And you know what the hell you’re talking about. And that’s pretty damn refreshing.”
— Sam Mintz (@samjmintz) January 21, 2021