It’s 2020 and while the world has become a more accepting place, there are still certain social taboos that are frowned upon. Like, the stigmas around mensurating women or mental health illness or sexual orientations, are still prevalent in today’s age and time.
So, while it might take some time for such outdated beliefs to fade away, there are certain inspiring stories that give us hope. Like, when Democratic Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg had an emotional talk with a 9-year-old boy about homosexuality, reports News 18. Buttigieg, who is the first openly gay presidential candidate in the United States, was addressing crowds at a campaign rally in Denver, Colorado.
The boy, who was attending the rally with his parents, had some questions for Buttigieg. Zachary Ro’s queries were submitted to the former South Bend, Indiana mayor in a fish ball, reports the New York Post. The boy said, “Thank you for being so brave”. He then asked Buttigieg, “Would you help me tell the world I’m gay, too? I want to be brave like you.”
Have a look at the entire video:
A 9-year-old boy submitted a special question to @PeteButtigieg during a town hall in Denver.
“Thank you for being so brave. Would you help me tell the world that I’m gay too?” @PriscillaWT has the story. Watch the special moment: https://t.co/U4UZMHn7bF pic.twitter.com/hU0OlrmgpL
— NBC News NOW (@NBCNewsNow) February 25, 2020
Answering Ros question, Buttigieg said that the boy didn’t need any advice on being brave as he was already very courageous.
“It took me a long time to figure out how to tell even my best friend that I was gay, let alone to go out there and tell the world and to see you willing to come to terms with who you are in a room full of 1,000 people, thousands of people you’ve never met that’s, that’s really something,” Buttigieg was quoted saying by CNN.
Buttigieg, who came out as gay in 2015, also gave the little boy some advice on how to steer through life as a queer person.
“The first thing is that it won’t always be easy, but that’s okay, because you know who you are. And that’s really important, because when you know who you are, you have a center of gravity that can hold you together when all kinds of chaos is happening around you,” he was quoted saying.
He also urged the child to never be scared to take a stand as it might benefit a lot of other people as well. “You’ll never know whose life you might be affecting right now, just by standing here. There’s a lot of power in that,” he added.
Many people applauded Buttigieg’s wise and sane advice to the little boy:
Warriors. Brave. Honest. Truthful. Candid. Humble. Kind. Considerate. Yes! Pete is talking the talk and walking the walk!
— b4HernandezBirmingham (@B4Hernandez) February 25, 2020
best thing ever & thank you for being such a real person and inspiring us all pic.twitter.com/qxlidTsG2a
— Shane de Kock (@Shane_says) February 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/Michael46483427/status/1232120557652459520?s=20
This man is saving lives on the campaign trail, just imagine the kids having a role model like this and chasten in the WH.
— Maulik (@Maulik_IndyFan) February 25, 2020
Others raised concerns about how a 9 -year-old boy can be so sure regarding his sexual orientation:
9 is awfully young to know one’s sexual orientation. Don’t think I took an interest in girls until I was probably 13. Any human development experts have thoughts to share on when sexuality begins? Bell curve? What range in ages typically?
— Scott Charles Arnold (@scottcarnold) February 25, 2020
9 yr old kids do not know if they're gay or not! That is a bold faced lie. It is perfectly normal for boys & girls to prefer playing with the same sex. Then as they approach puberty the majority move on to the next normal phase which is to become attracted to the opposite sex.
— ❌❌❌P M Jones (@PMJones14) February 25, 2020
Does one know & understand one’s sexuality at age 9? Samesex crushes at that age are common but usually pass with time & puberty. At age 9 would you know which sexuality you were born as?
— Taryn Kelly (@TarynKelly7) February 25, 2020
He could’ve really made an impact for his campaign if he simply would’ve said “son you’re nine years old you’re too young to know what you like or don’t like just be a kid and who knows what you will feel in the future”.
— Toecutter (@pwall921) February 25, 2020
Ro even presented Buttigieg with a bracelet, which the Democratic hopeful happily put on. As long as the former mayor’s speech is helping someone, it is a great thing.