One-time Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, joined Hollywood stars Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone, Matthew Bomer and Adam Lambert for the “Together In Pride: You Are Not Alone” online fundraiser Sunday.
The livestreamed event, sponsored by the media advocacy group GLAAD, featured Billy Eichner and Lilly Singh as co-hosts from their homes. Donations supported CenterLink, which distributes funds to more than 250 LGBTQ centers.
Nearly two months after stepping away from the presidential campaign, the tie-less, unshaven Buttigieg called in on video with his top button undone and Chasten at his side. He discussed younger members of the LGBTQ community who had, in the words of Eichner, “serious issues with you,” during the campaign.
Buttigieg said the LGBTQ community is going through a “generational experience,” and talked about humbling moments of older generation members deeply moved by his historic run for president as an “out candidate” and married man.
“There was something so powerful about that,” says Buttigieg, “As far as the negativity, part of that is how social media works. That comes along with politics.”
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, expressed optimism that some members of the younger generation were outspoken and critical.
“One generation was just astonished there was a candidate who was queer. For some others, it felt empowering to be queer and to not vote for a candidate who was queer,” said Buttigieg. “I get that.”
He continued to call for civil discourse on the matter.
Barbra Streisand sent in an audio message urging support for “LGBTQ centers seriously affected by COVID-19.”
“If they close their doors (LGBTQ people) may not have a meal or a place to go,” Streisand said. “I know that times are tough, but I really hope you’ll help save these organizations.”
Stone sent a video from her home asking people to “open our hearts and give to support each other.”
Singer Kesha sang “Rainbow,” one of her favorite songs “about seeing a rainbow” after tough times. Melissa Etheridge sang “Pulse,” a song she wrote following the tragic 2016 shooting in Orlando’s Pulse nightclub.
The Broadway cast of “Jagged Little Pill” sang “You Learn’
