Pete Buttigieg’s husband, Chasten Buttigieg, is an openly proud gay person. But the journey of his coming out by the age of 18 was tough. His parents initially found difficulty in accepting his sexuality. Although Buttigieg’s (given name Glezman) relationship with his parents improved over time, he remains estranged from his brother.
Due to his sexuality, he thought that there wasn’t a place for him in this world. But after meeting with transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, his whole life changed completely.
He has been married to Chasten since 2018
Chasten and Pete met through a dating app in 2015. Initially, they rejoiced long-distance relationship and their love blossomed in no time. The couple had their first date attending a baseball game and touring alongside the St. Joseph River.
After two years of dating, it was Pete who proposed to him at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in December 2017. Talking to PEOPLE.com, Pete said that the airport was a symbolic to their relationship because it was where they started chatting on their phone.
Six months later, the same-sex couple got married on June 16, 2018. They had their wedding in South Bend at the Episcopal Cathedral.
The duo is very much supportive of each other. During the 2021 presidential inauguration, the lovebirds attended the capital and watched the presidential ceremony of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
He is a proud father of two kids
Chasten and his husband, Pete Buttigieg, are rejoicing with their two kids. They don’t hesitate to showcase the proud moments of their children on social media.
The duo welcomed their kids, a son, Joseph August Buttigieg, and a daughter, Penelope Rose, in August 2021. On his X, Pete shared the picture of them holding their child and remains thankful to the well-wishers.
Joseph and Penelope have even been to the White House quite a few times. During the Christmas of 2022, the couple took their kids to the Christmas tree lighting. They also joined the Easter at the White House, which Chasten showed on Instagram in April 2023.
The kids duo were visibly excited and preparing to celebrate Christmas with their fathers. Sharing the moment in early December 2025, Chasten affirmed that the kids love the Christmas tree.
He is a book author and LGBTQ rights advocate
In his memoir, I Have Something to Tell You (2020), Chasten describes an inspiring journey of his life story of finding acceptance as a gay man. The American author recounts the moment of his dating history with Pete and the meeting with former President Obama. He has also shared the story of sexual assault and past domestic violence.
Despite hurdles in his life, he overcame them and became a junior high school teacher at Montessori Academy. After Pete ran for president, he left his teaching job to support his husband’s campaign.
The LGBTQ rights advocate has covered stories related to LGBTQ issues. He has won the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s ‘Inspiration Award’ for his work in bringing the LGBTQ+ struggles.
He has a Master’s of Education degree
While at high school at Traverse City West, Chasten was on a bowling team and later attended the University of Wisconsin, from where he received his Bachelor’s degree. He then graduated from DePaul University in 2017, completing a Master’s in Education.
He worked as a cashier, bartender, and waiter during his early days before finally settling as a humanities teacher.
Chasten had his upbringing in Traverse City, Michigan, where he was born as the youngest of three brothers to his parents, Terry Glezman and Sherri Glezman.
