The New Republic published and has now deleted an “opinion” article on Friday that included shocking and incendiary commentary of South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s bid for the 2020 presidency.
The article, written by gay writer Dale Peck, was titled “My Mayor Pete Problem.” It included asinine statements made by the author about Buttigieg’s sexual life (weather he was a bottom) and repeatedly referred to him as “Mary Pete.”
Peck’s badly written assessment of Pete Buttigieg, claimed “Mary Pete is a neoliberal and a Jeffersonian meritocrat, which is to say he’s just another unrepentant or at least unexamined beneficiary of white male privilege,” the posting spread quickly across the internet where it received widespread criticism from many readers and members of the LGBT media including John Aravosis of AmericaBlog, Kenneth Walsh of Kenneth in the 212, and Back2Stonewall.
In a statement late Friday night the Washington Examiner‘s, editor Chris Lehmann said, “The New Republic recognizes that this post crossed a line, and while it was largely intended as satire, it was inappropriate and invasive.” Peck’s op-ed was then removed from the site.
Peck who’s 2009 novel, Sprout, won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children’s/Young Adult literature has had problems before with his writings when in May 2011, Peck’ criticized Jewish-American literature in one of his freelance pieces which he claimed “[I]f I have to read another book about the Holocaust, I’ll kill a Jew myself”. His editors later removed the statement from his article
New Republic just published a piece about Pete Buttigieg referring to him as “Mary Pete,” and discussing whether he likes getting fucked up the ass.
— John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@aravosis) July 12, 2019
What are you doing, @newrepublic? This isn’t pushing boundaries. It’s homophobia worthy of a boycott. https://t.co/KzEVAmMf2H pic.twitter.com/POC1lJjkNk
When lines get crossed by people that are suppose to be neutral or at the least, report factual, honest, informative, news about anyone. They need to take their personal feelings out of the equation and report on information that qualifies as news and not bitter gossip. I have never looked at Pete Buttigieg as anything but a strong independent hard working man. One who has overcome many things to attain his status as the person he has become. Personal, family, career, educational and life in general. He has struggled with many of the same things many others before him have. However he came to his decision to,run for mayor, come out as gay, and then president has nothing to do with his bedroom, and relationship with his legal husband. In my opinion, it is his mind, heart and loyalty to our country. His desire to help the people however he is able to do so. I am glad this article was pulled and applaud all who saw this for what it was. A homophobic, piece of gossip. Pete Buttigieg will make one of the best presidents this country has ever seen in my opinion. He is open, willing to put in the work, and has not been more privileged than the average person in this country that has commitment, self drive, determination, and the willingness to put in hard work. Nothing was just handed to him. It is obvious if you hear what he says when he speaks and what others who know him more personally say.
Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.
H.
It’s not satire. It’s “see how clever a writer I am” angry, envious,bitter, jaded, juvenile name-calling that even a third-rate college newspaper wouldn’t publish. Too bad the author of that garbage never took the time or effort to actually meet and talk with Pete Buttigieg. He might have come away with a different attitude or at least had the decency to keep his mouth/keyboard shut.
P.S. Buttigieg’s lawyers ought to sue for libel or something.
… As an Award-Winning Print-Journalist of 48+ Yrs. in the Mainstream-&-Gay Media on both Coasts, I ask what do you expect from a non-Credible Publication owned-&-operated by the Moonie Church of Korea?!? Get a Grip People!!!