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Is America Ready to Elect a Gay President?

Brian Padden

   WASHINGTON - Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay U.S. presidential
   candidate to mount a major campaign, has emerged as one of the leaders
   in the Democratic Party's early nomination contests.

   While Buttigieg's sexual orientation has not been a major issue in the
   Democratic race, many believe it would become a point of contention if
   he won the nomination to face President Donald Trump in November.

   For his part, Buttigieg neither trumpets nor hides his sexuality. On
   the campaign trail, he speaks of being gay in terms of family values,
   emphasizing he is in a loving, committed same-sex marriage, and what
   his candidacy says about inclusion and equality in America today.

   "One of the best things about this campaign has been being able to
   meet, especially young people who don't always know if their family or
   their community has a place for them or their country. And being able
   to insist, the fact that I'm standing here, that, yes you do [have a
   place]," Buttigieg said recently at a Democratic town hall in Las
   Vegas, Nevada.

   WATCH: Is America Ready to Elect a Gay President?

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