Out gay US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, have expanded their family.
In a tweet on August 17, the former presidential hopeful and mayor of South Bend, Indiana announced that he and his husband have become parents — and the couple expressed appreciation in response to the outpouring of love and support they have received along their parenting journey.
For some time, Chasten and I have wanted to grow our family. We’re overjoyed to share that we’ve become parents! The process isn’t done yet and we’re thankful for the love, support, and respect for our privacy that has been offered to us. We can’t wait to share more soon.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) August 17, 2021
Some news! https://t.co/ikp1yLq9sR
— Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@Chasten) August 17, 2021
According to a Washington Post story published last month, the couple had been in touch with some prospective parents — but potential adoption scenarios initially fell through. The couple has been preparing for parenthood with “home studies and parenting workshops, writing up descriptions of their family values and ideal weekends.”
“It’s a really weird cycle of anger and frustration and hope,” Chasten said, according to the Washington Post. “You think it’s finally happening and you get so excited, and then it’s gone.”
Prior to serving as transportation secretary, Buttigieg rose to national fame during the 2020 Democratic primary race — when he and Bernie Sanders virtually tied to win the Iowa caucuses, though Buttigieg won the most delegates and officially became the first out LGBTQ person to win a state in a presidential primary race. After Buttigieg eventually dropped out, he backed Joe Biden’s candidacy for president, and in February, Buttigieg made history as the first openly gay cabinet member to be confirmed by the US Senate.
Buttigieg’s announcement comes at a time when same-sex couples in the US and globally have faced anti-LGBTQ bias when seeking adoption services and fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, egg freezing, sperm donations, and more.
To sign up for the Gay City News email newsletter, visit gaycitynews.com/newsletter.
