Recently, on queer news tonight, we saw how former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg turned one of Tucker Carlson’s most bizarre attacks into a moment of reflection and strength. The conversation took place during a live taping of On with Kara Swisher at the University of Michigan — and it’s now making waves again after Channel 5 clipped Queer News Tonight’s coverage of it. When asked about the Fake Gay comment, Buttigieg told Channel 5 that years ago, before coming out, he was in such a painful place that he might have even considered gay conversion therapy if he believed it would work.
He thought being gay would close every door, in politics, in the military, everywhere. But things changed after his military deployment. Writing a “just in case” letter to his family, Buttigieg realized he’d lived into his thirties without ever being in love. So, when he returned, he decided to live openly — no matter the career cost. Buttigieg says it’s ironic that the latest right-wing conspiracy claims he’s not gay enough.
“Tucker’s big conspiracy theory is that I’m secretly straight is like kind of hilarious, right? I just guess it’s progress. Because what would you possibly have to gain about lying about that?” (video)
