Educator, author and activist Chasten Buttigieg—the husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene after she drew sharp criticism for homophobic comments made toward Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Greene, known for her controversial and often homophobic statements, grilled Weingarten on her credentials to offer advice about classrooms or children, despite Weingarten having worked primarily as a full-time teacher in the 1990s. At one stage, Greene questioned whether Weingarten was a mother and repeatedly demanded to know if she was a medical doctor.
When Weingarten, who is gay and married to Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, stated that she is a "mother by marriage," Greene insisted she is "not a mother" and should admit to being little more than a "political activist."
In a Twitter post that features a video of the exchange, Buttigieg—the father of two children—called out Greene with the following message:
"They can continue to show us how anti-family they are and we can push for a country more incluive, helpful, and kind."
"Anyway, off to daycare pick up."
You can see his tweet below.
\u201cThey can continue to show us how anti-family they are and we can push for a country more inclusive, helpful, and kind. Anyway, off to daycare pickup.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
Many appreciated Buttigieg's words and echoed his criticisms of Greene.
\u201c@Chasten They are very pro-family. As long as the family meets the exact criteria they desire.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten I'm so sorry for her bigotry and homophobia. Know that the majority of Americans stand beside you and Secretary Pete. Hug YOUR children well tonight. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten I\u2019m grateful for your family! Best wishes in the car pickup line.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten Today was my last day with one of my preschool students in foster care, she'll be living full time now with her adoptive family who are already so in love with her. \n\nI hope your babies had a great day.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten As an adoptive parent you can't get more real than that!\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten Chasten\u2014thank you for speaking up for loving families of all kinds.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten @cmclymer MTG is an absolute disgrace to the office.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
\u201c@Chasten @joncoopertweets \ud83d\udcaf I agree. People need to learn acceptance and inclusion. I was raised to love people for who they are. Best wishes to your beautiful family.\u201d— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1682625021
The Buttigiegs have regularly been the target of homophobic attacks from members of the Republican Party, most notably from Greene, who is one of the more vocally anti-LGBTQ+ members of Congress.
Last year, for instance, she was criticized after she launched into an attack against Buttigieg and his husband Chasten, demanding they “stay out of our girls' bathrooms" and suggested that they are both sexual predators.
