Nowadays, when Chasten Buttigieg talks to school kids, an apology is necessary.
“When I’m talking to young people, the first thing that I always try to say is that I’m sorry on behalf of the adults,” Buttigieg told an audience in Portland, Oregon during a recent stop on his book tour. “I’m sorry that there are people in positions of power who have decided that you are the biggest enemy to the American people right now and that the best use of their time and resources is banning books.”
Buttigieg, a teacher and husband of former presidential candidate and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, arrives in South Florida next week to promote the young adult version of his memoir, “I Have Something To Tell You.” He is scheduled to discuss and sign copies of the book June 12 at Coral Gables United Church of Christ.
The 208-page book is intended for ages 12 and up, but there’s no guarantee it will be available in all of Florida’s libraries. A recent report by PEN America listed 13 school districts in Florida that had banned books. Overall, the state banned 357 books from July to December 2022.
“Historically, that has never gone well,” said Buttigieg, who holds a Master’s in Education from DePaul University in Chicago.
In the face of increased censorship, Buttigieg said it is vital to engage in Florida to build bridges and have good faith conversations when feasible. He expressed genuine disbelief at reports that more than 50% of LGBTQ families have left the state due to safety concerns.
“It matters that we show up and invest whatever we have — in my case it’s a book tour — to let young queer people know I’m not going to turn my back on them,” Buttigieg said.
In his memoir, Buttigieg describes growing up in rural, northern Michigan and struggling to come to terms with being “different.” Through vivid storytelling and witty side comments, Buttigieg details his journey to attaining a life most gay men would have considered impossible just a short time ago.
“I think it’s pretty darn cool that I got to grow up to be this person,” Buttigieg said. “I reflect on that a lot — that young, scared closeted kid who could not see two steps ahead of him and who really didn’t think he was going to be here one day, suddenly got to be that person with a microphone and not only a microphone but an out, proud, gay married dad.”
You can RSVP for Buttigieg’s Coral Gables event at eventbrite.com.