Belonging, Heartbreak, Hope

I am in the middle of processing the fact that tonight Pete Buttigieg suspended his campaign for president. I have written a little about how much Pete means to me previously but feel moved to write one more post. In the end, though I want to leave you with the knowledge that no matter what we all still belong here.

I was drawn to Pete for many different reasons. From amazing stories about him using his language skills to help a family at a hospital in South Bends, to how he captured my creative imagination (He and Chasten are characters in a whole range of my daydream fanfiction and we have been all over together: Hogwarts, B5, Torchwood, Doctor Who, ...) to how deeply he made me feel like I belong.

During his campaign he time and time again talked about the Crisis of Belonging which has led to the epidemic of mental health and other challenges. He made me much more aware of the mental health struggles in rural America (including the high prevalence of suicide there) and the struggles of Vets. He was a candidate who spoke to these issues in a way that the other candidates did not. He reminded me that no matter what I was personally experiencing, for good or for bad, I still belong. (And having a context for why Depression seems to visit me and visit so many of those I know, more frequently recently, was really soothing for me)

He made me proud to be an American, and connected to America, in a way I had not been before. (Deeper than even Hamilton: The Musical) I also ended up connected to politics in a way I had never been before. I had the opportunity to go to an event with Chasten, one with Pete, and be on 2 supporter calls and a supporter video call with Pete. I event helped text bank for him.

His and Chasten's love for each other made me even consider if partnered love was something I wanted for myself (verdict is still out) and his description of trying dating in his book led me to try this dating thing and go on my first date date (dating not my cup of tea).

I could go on and on how Pete and Chasten and Pete for America have touched my life but I did say I would end on hope. One way Pete and Chasten and the Campaign was able to stay so kind in the face of politics are the campaign's rules of the road.

These rules of the road will go on. These are still the things that matter in this world. These are still things that are real even when they seem impossible. While Pete may not be running for president in 2020 anymore, know that does not mean these rules are no longer valid.

Most important to me is remember You belong, I belong, We belong here in America. We can not allow any of the hate or racism or sexism or homophobia or transphobia or Islamophobia or anti-immigrant rhetoric ... to allow any of us to forget we belong.

We belong and we shall be bold and may we all find joy in that.