Pete Buttigieg Bipartisan vote marks historic first for LGBTQ community Chris Johnson | Washington BladeCourtesy of National LGBT Media Association Pete Buttigieg was approved by the U.S.
Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 2, as Secretary of Transportation, marking the first time an openly gay person has been confirmed to a Cabinet-level position — a long overdue achievement for the LGBTQ community.
The former South Bend mayor, nominated by President Biden after making history in the 2020 Democratic primary as an openly gay candidate, was confirmed on a bipartisan vote of 86-13.
The Democratic caucus was united in support for Buttigieg. Among the Republicans joining them were Texas Sen. John Cornyn as well as Joni Ernst of Iowa, Roger Wicker of