Openly gay Democratic presidential candidate wants to 'broker that peace deal' with Chick-fil-A

Pete Buttigieg, the Indiana mayor seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, said that even though he's openly gay and disagrees with Chick-fil-A's stance on sexuality, he would like to see the fast food chain and the LGBTQ community find some peace and common ground, according to The Hill.

Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, told the hosts of the New York City morning radio show, "The Breakfast Club," that "I do not approve of their politics, but I kind of approve of their chicken."

"We've got to find a way to use our identities to reach other people," Buttigieg said. "What can we talk about that brings us together? Because I have no clue what it's like to walk in the shoes of so many other people. But I can talk about some of the pieces of what I carry with me and see if it rhymes with their life experience."

Chick-fil-A is always under attack

Chick-fil-A has been under fire for years from LGBTQ advocates who criticize the CEO's traditional Christian view that marriage is between a man and a woman, and who point out that Chick-fil-A donates to so-called "anti-gay" organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Marriage & Family Foundation, and Family Research Council.

Buttigieg's comments are notable because nowadays even a tangentially supportive mention of the company can spark backlash. For example, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey felt compelled to apologize for tweeting out that he ordered food from Chick-fil-A during Pride Month in June of last year.

"You're right. Completely forgot about their background," Dorsey replied to critics who called him out for promoting Chick-fil-A.

Buttigieg doesn't seem to believe that liking Chick-fil-A has to mean hating LGBTQ people.

"Maybe, if nothing else, I can build that bridge," Buttigieg said. "Maybe I'll become in a position to broker that peace deal."

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