https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/pete-buttigieg-dallas-heckler-protester-beto-orourke
A mere decade ago, I don't think anyone anticipated such a civil rights increase for queer Americans. In just my lifetime, it feels like our rights and visibility have skyrocketed. That's certainly not to say we should pay ourselves on the back and become, as evidenced by this story. In places like my current state, it can still be a struggle to be gay or trans. Pete Buttigieg recently experienced this, as the first openly gay mayor in Indiana. While on the campaign trail in Texas, he has been harassed relentlessly. Homophobic individuals have organized groups to track him around the state, ensuring homophobic protesters surrounding all of his events.
Still, there are still positive takeaways from this. He has not let it intimidate him and has even joked about it. His supporters have often drowned out protesters chants and even his competitor Beto O'Rourke tweeted his support. This reminds of Harvey Milk and his campaign, as the first ever openly gay mayor in the us. Both individuals faced serious pushback and would have a far easier time if they had stayed quiet and closeted but neither let others force them to stay silent.
This is so sad. Nobody should be harrassed for their beliefs.
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