Watch: Buttigieg Delivers Speech on Last Night of DNC
Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana and onetime contender for the Democratic 2020 nomination Pete Buttigieg was among the LGBTQ rising stars who delivered speeches at the Democratic National Convention this week.
Buttigieg appeared on the last night of the convention, Aug. 20, and delivered an address in which he espoused faith in America and spoke of the ways in which national transformation is possible. Buttigieg envisioned a post-election America where "faith is about healing, and not exclusion," full-time workers were not left behind by a vibrant economy "to live in poverty," the demands for justice and equal treatment by minorities were taken seriously, and officials addressed "questions of science and medicine by turning to scientists and doctors."
A transcript of his remarks was published by CNN and a clip of his speech was made available at YouTube by PBS News Hour.
Buttigieg recalled that when he joined the Naval Reserve as an intelligence officer he could have been thrown out of the service under the then-current policy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," had he attempted to serve openly.
Buttigieg - who is married to husband Chasten Buttigieg - also recalled that it was not until 2015 that he and Chasten could be married. Marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 states following the Supreme Court ruling that found that gay and lesbian couples have a Constitutional right to enter into legal wedlock.
Saying that "America, uniquely, holds the promise of a place where everyone can belong," Buttigieg went on to acknowledge, "We know that for too many, and for too long, that promise has been denied. But we also know America is at its best when we make the circle of belonging wider."
Reflecting on how America has changed over the past decade, the out politician added, "Live makes my marriage real. But political courage made it possible - including that of Joe Biden, who stepped out ahead even of his party when he said that marriage equality ought to be the law of the land."
"There is a long way to go," Buttigieg noted, "but if this much can change between 2010 and 2020, image what could change between now and 2030."
Buttigieg went on to say that a coalition of "progressive and moderates, independents, and even what I like to call future former Republicans" could usher in "an America where everyone belongs."
Added Buttigieg: "Joe Biden is right. This is a contest for the soul of the nation. And to me, that contest is not between good Americans and evil Americans, it's the struggle to call out what is good in every American."
Watch the video clip of Buttigieg's speech below.