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The Vatican's refusal to bless same-sex marriages has garnered worldwide backlash.
One half of one of the most high-profile gay couples in the United States participated in that backlash, too. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg's husband, Chasten Glezman Buttigieg.
Chasten is a "teacher, author, advocate and husband." His critically acclaimed book I Have Something To Tell You: A Memoir was released on September 1, 2020.
Chasten's reply to the disappointing statement by the Catholic Church showed a candid black-and-white photo of himself and Pete on their wedding day, with a powerful caption:
"🏳️🌈 Love is love. 💍 Gay marriage is legal. 👋 The Pope isn't your County Clerk. 🍷 Register for the fancy sheets and wine glasses. ❤️ Peace and blessings."
🏳️🌈 Love is love. 💍 Gay marriage is legal. 👋 The Pope isn’t your County Clerk. 🍷 Register for the fancy sheets… https://t.co/15OxIaRxk8— Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@Chasten Glezman Buttigieg) 1615829470.0
People thought it was a perfect response.
@Chasten I am Catholic and think for myself. Love is love. I hope the Pope changes this attitude among the lower c… https://t.co/uUy60LZyG0— Debb from MICHIGAN (@Debb from MICHIGAN) 1615833835.0
@Chasten Love to you both! So proud of our President and how choice for @SecretaryPete he will make things happen… https://t.co/tEJh96tXDi— Jill Hoffman (@Jill Hoffman) 1615838995.0
@Chasten If you really love your china pattern, register for a few extra place settings so you can still serve fanc… https://t.co/3As5Ip9KVx— Cstewart (@Cstewart) 1615845757.0
@Chasten Gay weddings are so emotional, I've been to 3, I couldn't stop crying lol. It's just so beautiful, seeing… https://t.co/JM3J2nak9t— 🧩Melanie Guzman🦄 (@🧩Melanie Guzman🦄) 1615854615.0
@Chasten Just want to LIKE this a second time. If Jesus is your thing, all he said was “love” and to love everyone… https://t.co/P4oM5T7NK1— Important because I VOTE (@Important because I VOTE) 1615867442.0
Chasten and Pete have been widely hailed as "saving lives," after Pete made history first on the presidential debate stage and then as the first openly LGBTQ+ Senate-confirmed cabinet secretary, heading up President Biden's Transportation Department.
His referencing of Chasten as his husband during his confirmation hearing was a historic moment in and of itself.
@Chasten Love is in the air !! Love is everywhere !! You guys are one of my favorite love birds !! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜💟😍🥰😘 https://t.co/trqPD1VERB— Luamada🌊💙🌊 (@Luamada🌊💙🌊) 1615842217.0
@Chasten That is a wonderful pic of you guys. Secretary Pete, you are so darn adorable! You two are an awesome couple!!!— Linda Blake (@Linda Blake) 1615954721.0
@Chasten Whom GOD has joined together let no man separate. God bless you two who have become one! The marriage bed… https://t.co/xUg4FZCyOg— Char Minor (@Char Minor) 1615930550.0
@Chasten Some - hopefully many - Catholics agree with you. I’m one of them. Thank you for being an inspiration fo… https://t.co/aWET3ht3wV— Lori Grego (@Lori Grego) 1615855391.0
@Chasten I for one consider your husband to be an excellent person with compassion and intelligence sorely lacking… https://t.co/tUkUVb5Ovd— Allen G. Etheridge (@Allen G. Etheridge) 1615920101.0
The Vatican's decision has been blasted worldwide by celebrities from Dan Levy to Elton John, Brandi Carlile and Mia Farrow.
Some of the church's own priests have vowed to defy the words of the Vatican.
"We members of the Parish Priests Initiative are deeply appalled by the new Roman decree that seeks to prohibit the blessing of same-sex loving couples. This is a relapse into times that we had hoped to have overcome with Pope Francis."
@Chasten Catholic moral absolutism is a major contributor to why so many people have walked away from the church, i… https://t.co/ST4flCFjCz— Michael Carter (@Michael Carter) 1615841186.0
@Chasten I love this pic, you both look so happy. This world needs all the happy it can get.— CanuckArmyMom (@CanuckArmyMom) 1615902512.0
@Chasten I am Catholic. I am disappointed that the Pope took this position. I am an LGBTQ ally and supporter. Lo… https://t.co/jwQ0GRYr0S— Jennifer Steger (@Jennifer Steger) 1615908528.0
Pope Francis' former spoken stances on homosexuality aside, the Catholic Church has never been an ally for LGBTQ+ people.
People like Chasten Buttigieg and his husband Pete have shown the LGBTQ+ community don't need anybody on their side to confirm or legitimize their love.
In the words of Vida Boheme and Noxeema Jackson:
"Your approval is not needed."
"Approval neither desired nor required."