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The world congratulates Chasten & Pete on becoming parents

"Happy news we can all use," Press Secretary Jen Psaki summed it up.
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Pete Buttigieg (left) with his husband Chasten
Pete Buttigieg (left) with his husband Chasten Photo: Pete Buttigieg for Mayor website

The world has spent today reacting to the news that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, have welcomed two children into their family.

As usual, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has summed up the news with the best response. “Happy news we can all use,” she tweeted.

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When Chasten and Pete first revealed that they were becoming parents last month, many people also celebrated the news.

“Congratulations to you and Chasten,” Q.Digital CEO Scott Gatz said at the time. “Fatherhood is the best thing my husband and I have experienced. I wish you all the joy that comes with it.”

Now, once again, congratulations poured in from all over the world for the growing family.

The children, Penelope Rose and Joseph August, join the Buttigieg family in addition to their two dogs, Buddy and Truman.

Psaki wasn’t the only White House official or fellow member of Biden administration to congratulate the Buttigiegs.

Senior Advisor on LGBTQ+ Rights Reggie Greer, Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, and even those at Buttigieg’s workplace, the Department of Transportation, sent messages of well wishes.

After serving as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete rose to national recognition as a Presidential candidate. In early 2020, he became the first out Presidential candidate to win a primary contest in American history.

Many other out politicians congratulated him on his latest victory, including out members of Congress such as Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Sharice Davids (D-KS).

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also issued congratulations on social media.

Several LGBTQ advocacy organizations and leaders were also proud to see the occasion.

“Penelope and Joseph are perfect,” tweeted PFLAG, the national organization for parents, families, and allies of LGBTQ people.

Annise Parker, the President of the LGBTQ Victory Institute, previously pointed out what becoming parents could mean for the couple — and countless others.

“As parents, they will now shine a national spotlight on LGBTQ families, who often face daunting challenges because of outdated policies that narrowly define what families are,” Parker previously stated.

Of course, millions of Americans in all sectors of life — to out MSNBC journalist Jonathan Capehart to out entertainer and Glee actress Jane Lynch — also joined in on recognizing the momentous occasion.

“Oh my heart,” exclaimed out actor and community advocate George Takei.

While many have reason to be happy for Chasten and Pete, some of the best reactions to the news are coming from other LGBTQ parents and family members, too

Several shared pictures of their kids or stories about their lack of sleep.

Will Pollock, journalist and blogger behind Cranky Yank, wrote simply, “single gay dad here wishing you guys all [the] happiness in the world.

“Days are long but the years are short.”

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