rights
Pete Buttigieg shares his "radical" ideas to make America better: "We should take those big swings"
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 24, 2026
· 5 min read
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's annual gathering in Chicago earlier this month — the first since founder Jesse Jackson died earlier this year — and shared some "radical" ideas for reforming democracy. "That's radical stuff you're talking about," h
Key takeaway "That's radical stuff you're talking about," his interviewer, Jackson's son and the civil rights organization's new CEO, Yusef Jackson, told Buttigieg.
Why this matters
Pete Buttigieg's proposal to eliminate the Electoral College and elect the president by direct popular vote has significant implications for the LGBTQ+ community. By making every vote count equally, regardless of the state, this reform could lead to increased political engagement and representation for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. Currently, the Electoral College system often renders votes in non-swing states less influential, potentially disenfranchising LGBTQ+ voters in states with less competitive elections. A direct popular vote system could incentivize presidential candidates to campaign and listen to concerns in all states, including those with historically conservative voting records. This, in turn, could lead to more inclusive and responsive policies, particularly on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, which often vary significantly by state. As a prominent LGBTQ+ politician, Buttigieg's advocacy for this reform highlights the potential for pro-democracy efforts to intersect with and advance LGBTQ+ rights.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's annual gathering in Chicago earlier this month — the first since founder Jesse Jackson died earlier this year — and shared some "radical" ideas for reforming democracy. "That's radical stuff you're talking about," h
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .