Politics in spotlight at Iowa's Pride Fest

[TexasTowelie]

DES MOINES, Iowa — As Iowa LGBT rights activists gathered in front of the state capitol on Saturday to celebrate how far they have come since their first Pride Fest 41 years ago, their featured speaker was Pete Buttigieg, the gay Democratic mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who is running for president.

“It’s absolutely historic,” said John Schmacker, 76, a self-described “Pete disciple.” Schmacker, who is gay, recalled feeling “euphoric” the day the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in April 2009.

“To think that there would be a married, openly gay man among the leading contenders for president of the United States,” he said.

For LGBT individuals and their allies, this month is a chance to celebrate the strides they have made. Same-sex marriage is now legal nationwide. There is a much greater awareness of transgender issues. And pride festivals like this one attract large, enthusiastic crowds.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/nation-and-world/politics-in-spotlight-at-iowas-pride-fest-pete-buttigieg-20190609

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