# Chasten Buttigieg

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American teacher and writer (born 1989)

Chasten Buttigieg Buttigieg in 2023 First Gentleman of South Bend, Indiana In role June 16, 2018 – January 1, 2020 Mayor Pete Buttigieg Preceded by Peg Luecke (as First Lady) Succeeded by Kellye Mitros Mueller (as First Lady) Personal details Born Chasten James Glezman (1989-06-23) June 23, 1989 (age 37) Traverse City, Michigan, U.S. Party Democratic Spouse Pete Buttigieg ​ (m. 2018)​ Children 2 Education Northwestern Michigan College University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (BA) DePaul University (MEd) Occupation Teacher writer LGBTQ rights advocate Writing career Notable works I Have Something to Tell You (2020) I Have Something to Tell You -- For Young Adults (2023) Papa's Coming Home picture book (2025)

**Chasten James Glezman Buttigieg** ([/ˈtʃæstən ˈbuːtɪdʒədʒ/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*CHAS-tən BOO-tij-əj*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); [né](/source/Birth_name#Maiden_and_married_names) **Glezman**; born June 23, 1989) is an American teacher, author, and [LGBTQ activist](/source/LGBTQ_movements). He is married to [Pete Buttigieg](/source/Pete_Buttigieg), the former [U.S. Secretary of Transportation](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_Transportation), and was an advisor, spokesperson, and social media campaigner during his husband's [2020 presidential campaign](/source/Pete_Buttigieg_2020_presidential_campaign). In September 2020, Buttigieg released a memoir titled *[I Have Something to Tell You](/source/I_Have_Something_to_Tell_You)*. He published an adaptation of his memoir for young adults in May 2023. In May 2025, he published a picture book, *Papa's Coming Home.*

## Early life and education

Buttigieg was born Chasten James Glezman, on June 23, 1989, in [Traverse City, Michigan](/source/Traverse_City%2C_Michigan), to Sherri ([née](/source/Birth_name#Maiden_and_married_names) Pelon) and Terry Glezman, owners of a landscaping business.[1][2] The youngest of three brothers, he was raised in [Chums Corner](/source/Chums_Corner%2C_Michigan), a suburban area outside Traverse City, in a [conservative](/source/Conservatism_in_the_United_States) [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) family.[2][3] As a teenager, Buttigieg worked at a cherry products store called Cherry Republic and drove tractors on his grandfather's [cherry farm](/source/Cherry_production_in_Michigan) in [Suttons Bay](/source/Suttons_Bay%2C_Michigan). He won a [blue ribbon](/source/Blue_ribbon#Fair_competitions) in pit spitting at the [National Cherry Festival](/source/National_Cherry_Festival).[4]

Buttigieg attended [Traverse City West Senior High School](/source/Traverse_City_West_Senior_High_School) and spent his senior year as an exchange student in Germany. He took classes at [Northwestern Michigan College](/source/Northwestern_Michigan_College) before attending the [University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Eau_Claire);[5] he graduated in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in theater and global studies.[6] Later, Buttigieg attended [DePaul University](/source/DePaul_University) in Chicago where he received a Master of Education degree in 2017.[7] That summer, Buttigieg began an [AMS](/source/American_Montessori_Society)/[MACTE](/source/Montessori_education) certificate from [Xavier University](/source/Xavier_University).[8]

## Career

After graduating from college, Buttigieg moved to Milwaukee, where he worked as a teaching artist for [First Stage Children's Theater](/source/First_Stage_Children's_Theater) as well as in classroom settings in the greater Milwaukee area.[9]

While pursuing his graduate degree, he was a substitute teacher in both Chicago and South Bend public schools. In fall 2017, Buttigieg began as a junior high humanities teacher at the Montessori Academy in [Mishawaka, Indiana](/source/Mishawaka%2C_Indiana).[8][10] He also taught theater and ran a diversity club.[5] He took a leave of absence to support his husband's campaign.[11] In January 2019, Buttigieg joined the Civic Education Team of the [South Bend Civic Theatre](/source/South_Bend_Civic_Theatre) as the director of curriculum.[12]

In 2016, Buttigieg was a state Democratic delegate for [St. Joseph County](/source/St._Joseph_County%2C_Indiana).[13] He was the first gentleman of [South Bend, Indiana](/source/South_Bend%2C_Indiana), from June 16, 2018, to January 1, 2020.[14]

Chasten (left) and Pete Buttigieg campaigning in Iowa in 2019

Buttigieg was a campaign spokesperson,[15] advisor,[16] and social media campaigner for his husband [Pete Buttigieg](/source/Pete_Buttigieg)'s [2020 presidential campaign](/source/Pete_Buttigieg_2020_presidential_campaign).[17][18] If his husband had been elected, Chasten identified improving the nation's public schools, arts education, and mental health as the areas he would have directed his attention towards as First Gentleman.[19] He also supports [LGBTQ](/source/LGBTQ) rights.[20][21] After his husband's withdrawal from the race, both endorsed [Joe Biden](/source/Joe_Biden) and campaigned for him.[22][23][24] Since the campaign, Buttigieg now considers [Kamala Harris](/source/Kamala_Harris) and [Doug Emhoff](/source/Doug_Emhoff) close friends.[25]

Buttigieg was a [Harvard Institute of Politics](/source/Harvard_Institute_of_Politics) Fellow for the fall 2020 [virtual](/source/Educational_technology) semester.[26] In December 2020, Buttigieg criticized [Joseph Epstein](/source/Joseph_Epstein_(writer))'s [op-ed](/source/Op-ed) about [Jill Biden](/source/Jill_Biden)'s academic credentials, calling it [sexist](/source/Sexism).[27]

On September 1, 2020, Buttigieg released his debut memoir, *[I Have Something to Tell You](/source/I_Have_Something_to_Tell_You)*.[22][18][2] The hardcover edition debuted at number 12 on [*The New York Times* Best Seller list](/source/The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list) for hardcover non-fiction.[28] He published an adaptation of *I Have Something to Tell You* for young adults in 2023. The adaptation "focuses mostly on his youth and not on his adult life with Mayor Pete," according to *Kirkus Reviews*.[29] In 2025, he published a children's picture book about a family with two fathers, titled *Papa's Coming Home*.[30][31]

## Personal life

Pete and Chasten Buttigieg in 2019

Buttigieg [came out](/source/Coming_out) to his family at 18 and soon moved out, living with friends and in his car before returning home about two months later.[32] In 2019, Buttigieg reported he now had a "great relationship" with his parents.[5] In 2020, Buttigieg shared in his memoir that he was [sexually assaulted](/source/Sexual_assault) by a friend of a friend when he was 18. The experience left him feeling ashamed for years.[33]

Chasten and Pete Buttigieg first met on the dating app [Hinge](/source/Hinge_(app)) in the summer of 2015. They met in person that August while Chasten was in graduate school.[34] They got engaged in December 2017 at [O'Hare International Airport](/source/O'Hare_International_Airport), and married on June 16, 2018, at the [Episcopal](/source/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)) [Cathedral of St. James](/source/Cathedral_of_St._James_(South_Bend%2C_Indiana)) in South Bend; the two appeared at the South Bend Gay Pride block party following their nuptials.[3][35][36] On August 17, 2021, Buttigieg announced on his personal [Twitter](/source/Twitter) account that he and his husband had become parents. On September 4, Pete Buttigieg tweeted a photo of the couple with their newborn adopted twins, a son and a daughter.[37]

## Published works

- *[I Have Something to Tell You](/source/I_Have_Something_to_Tell_You): A Memoir* (2020)

- *I Have Something to Tell You -- For Young Adults* (2023)

- *Papa's Coming Home* (picture book) (2025)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** McCarthy, Ellen (May 2, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg has been a homeless community-college student and a Starbucks barista. Now, he could be 'first gentleman.'"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/chasten-buttigieg-has-been-a-homeless-community-college-student-and-a-starbucks-barista-now-he-could-be-first-gentleman/2019/05/01/436183b8-6c31-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html). Retrieved May 2, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:5_2-2) Bedwell, Michael (September 12, 2020). ["Chasten Buttigieg's new book is a frank discussion of growing up gay in middle America"](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/09/chasten-buttigiegs-new-book-frank-discussion-growing-gay-middle-america/). *LGBTQ Nation*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) Trebay, Guy (June 18, 2018). ["Pete Buttigieg Might Be President Someday. He's Already Got the First Man"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/fashion/weddings/mayor-peter-buttigieg-wedding-democratic-party.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Oosting, Jonathan (July 29, 2019). ["Buttigieg brings Michigan husband, Midwest roots to Democratic race"](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/29/buttigieg-michigan-husband-connections-democratic-race/1702875001/). *The Detroit News*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_5-2) Human Rights Campaign (April 6, 2019), [*Chasten Buttigieg Speaks at the 2019 HRC Houston Dinner*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grqtoijOuHE), retrieved April 15, 2019

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Lindquist, Eric (May 21, 2019). ["University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate in spotlight as nation's potential first gentleman"](https://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/wi/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire-graduate-in-spotlight-as-nations-potential-first-gentleman/article_ecfc3b7c-7b16-11e9-88aa-83e85108f256.html). *LaCrosse Tribune*. Retrieved January 14, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_7-0)** ["Faculty and Staff"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101127/http://www.tma-el.org/about-us/faculty-and-staff.cfm?catid=4). *www.tma-el.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.tma-el.org/about-us/faculty-and-staff.cfm?catid=4) on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_8-1) ["Weekly Memo"](http://www.tma-el.org/img/dynamic/file/5-23-17-Weekly-Memo-emailable.pdf?1495573104882) (PDF). *Montessori Academy Edison Lakes*. May 23, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2019.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** First Stage Academy (Fall 2012). ["Faculty and Staff"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210128023501/https://www.firststage.org/Documents/First%20Stage%20PDFs/InFocus/1213/Vol%202%20Issue%205%20Fall%20Academy.pdf) (PDF). *In Focus: News from the Academy*. **2**: 6. Archived from [the original](https://www.firststage.org/Documents/First%20Stage%20PDFs/InFocus/1213/Vol%202%20Issue%205%20Fall%20Academy.pdf) (PDF) on January 28, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Mack, Justin (April 9, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg: What we know about Mayor Pete's husband"](https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/04/09/chasten-buttigieg-what-we-know-pete-buttigiegs-husband/3398186002/). *Indianapolis Star*. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Chasten Buttigieg: The rising star of 2020 candidates' spouses"](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/04/05/mayor-pete-buttigieg-husband-chasten-twitter-dnt-bennett-ebof-vpx.cnn). *CNN*. April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** BWW News Desk. ["South Bend Civic Theatre Hires Chasten Buttigieg And Kristen Campbell For Education Department Positions"](https://www.broadwayworld.com/south-bend/article/South-Bend-Civic-Theatre-Hires-Chasten-Buttigieg-And-Kristen-Campbell-For-Education-Department-Positions-20190109). *BroadwayWorld.com*. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Indiana State Democratic Party 2016 Hoosier Hospitality Dinner & State Convention"](https://b.3cdn.net/indems/b5b9b7dc69690b442a_l8m6bswdx.pdf) (PDF). 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FG_14-0)** ["Chasten Buttigieg Could Be The First Gentleman And America Loves Him"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190423011716/https://eblnews.com/video/chasten-buttigieg-could-be-first-gentleman-and-america-loves-him-659547). *EBLnews*. April 20, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019. According to Business Insider, the first gentleman of South Bend has become a social media sweetheart in his own right.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Steinhauser, Paul (April 22, 2019). ["Meet the 2020 spouses: The high-powered men and women behind the candidates"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/meet-the-2020-spouses-the-high-powered-men-and-women-behind-the-candidates). *Fox News*. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Gangitano, Alex (April 27, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg emerges as Mayor Pete's secret weapon"](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440907-chasten-buttigieg-emerges-as-mayor-petes-secret-weapon). *The Hill*. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Weiss, Joanna (March 29, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg Is Winning the 2020 Spouse Primary"](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/29/pete-buttigieg-husband-chasten-226335/). *Politico*. Retrieved April 28, 2019..

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-petrow_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-petrow_18-1) Petrow, Steven (August 31, 2020). ["Chasten Buttigieg's 'I Have Something to Tell You' is refreshingly candid, but a missed opportunity"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/chasten-buttigiegs-i-have-something-to-tell-you-is-refreshingly-candid-but-a-missed-opportunity/2020/08/31/97f80f54-e634-11ea-970a-64c73a1c2392_story.html). *The Washington Post*. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Relman, Eliza (April 19, 2019). ["Meet Chasten Buttigieg, Pete Buttigieg's husband, who is a junior high school teacher, a dog dad, and very online"](https://www.businessinsider.com/pete-buttigiegs-husband-chasten-buttigieg-2020-candidate-2019-4#chasten-grew-up-in-traverse-city-michigan-after-graduating-with-a-bachelors-degree-in-theater-and-global-studies-in-2011-he-became-a-drama-teacher-in-milwaukee-5). *Business Insider*. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Igoe, Katherine (April 17, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg, Mayor Pete's Husband, Just Gave His First Major Interview"](https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a27179973/chasten-buttigieg-interview-pete-buttigieg-campaign/). *Marie Claire*. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Zavaleta, Lourdes (September 13, 2019). ["Chasten Buttigieg Visited Montrose Center Prior to Dem Debate"](https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2019/09/chasten-buttigieg-visits-montrose-center-prior-to-dem-debate/). *OutSmart Magazine*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-oliver_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-oliver_22-1) Oliver, David (August 31, 2020). ["Chasten Buttigieg talks Biden, quarantine and new memoir: 'I wanted to write my real story'"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/08/31/chasten-buttigieg-opens-up-joe-biden-quarantine-new-memoir/5656609002/). USA Today. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["An Out for Biden Conversation with Jill Biden and Chasten Buttigieg | Joe Biden for President 2020"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Ts7J_hFeM). *YouTube*. August 7, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bowden_24-0)** Bowden, John (August 31, 2020). ["Chasten Buttigieg to talk husband's presidential bid, coronavirus in new memoir"](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/514496-chasten-buttigieg-to-talk-husbands-presidential-bid-coronavirus-memoir). *The Hill*. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Ring, Trudy (December 16, 2020). ["Buttigieg Speaks on His Historic Cabinet Role, Proposing to Chasten"](https://www.advocate.com/politics/2020/12/16/buttigieg-speaks-his-historic-cabinet-role-proposing-chasten). *Advocate*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Yu, Sixiao (August 25, 2020). ["Advocate Chasten Buttigieg, Attorney Jorge Vazquez Jr. Among Institute of Politics Fellows For Virtual Fall Semester"](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/8/25/iop-fall-2020-fellows/). *[The Harvard Crimson](/source/The_Harvard_Crimson)*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Crump, James (December 17, 2020). ["Who is Pete Buttigieg's husband Chasten?"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/who-is-chasten-buttigieg-pete-b1774850.html). *The Independent*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Sept. 20, 2020 - The New York Times"](https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2020/09/20/hardcover-nonfiction/). *The New York Times*. Retrieved October 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU―FOR YOUNG ADULTS"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/chasten-buttigieg/i-have-something-to-tell-youfor-young-adults/). Retrieved August 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Chasten Buttigieg's kids' book makes publishing history"](https://www.advocate.com/news/chasten-buttigieg-historic-childrens-book). *www.advocate.com*. Retrieved May 11, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Tagen-Dye, Carly (August 14, 2024). ["Chasten Buttigieg Announces Debut Picture Book: 'I Wanted My Kids to See Themselves' (Exclusive)"](https://people.com/chasten-buttigieg-announces-debut-picture-book-inspired-by-family-exclusive-8695130). *People.com*. Retrieved May 11, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Buttigieg, Chasten, *I Have Something to Tell You*. New York: Atria Paperback, 2020, p. 52.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Holmes, Juwan J. (February 23, 2020). ["Chasten Buttigieg opens up about being sexually assaulted & meeting Pete on dating app"](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/02/chasten-buttigieg-opens-meeting-pete-dating-app-sexually-assaulted/). *LGBTQ Nation*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Carlson, Adam (April 22, 2019). ["How Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Met Husband on Hinge and Had 'Ridiculous' First Date"](https://people.com/politics/how-mayor-pete-buttigieg-met-husband-chasten-on-hinge/). *People*. Retrieved April 26, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Doster, Adam (February 16, 2018). ["The President of Nowhere, USA"](http://politi.co/2EvlRbD). *POLITICO Magazine*. Retrieved April 15, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Groppe, Maureen (December 16, 2020). ["Thanks to Pete Buttigieg, O'Hare Airport is now calling itself a 'place of romance'"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/16/ohare-airport-loves-engagement-story-transportation-pick-pete-buttigieg/3928568001/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved December 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** Ryu, Jenna. ["Pete Buttigieg, husband Chasten announce birth of twins with sweet photo"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/09/04/pete-buttigieg-husband-chasten-announce-birth-twins-share-photo/5731911001/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved September 4, 2021.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Chasten Buttigieg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Chasten_Buttigieg).

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?127634) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

- [Chasten Buttigieg](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11864614/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Pete Buttigieg United States Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025) Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020) Mayor of South Bend, IN 2011 election 2015 election Mayoralty of Pete Buttigieg Flag of South Bend, Indiana Proposed new South Shore Line station 2020 presidential campaign Campaign Endorsements Primaries Debates Secretary of Transportation Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Cabinet of Joe Biden East Palestine train derailment Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Politics 2010 Indiana State Treasurer election 2017 DNC chairman election Hitting Home PAC Political positions Electoral history Books Shortest Way Home Trust: America's Best Chance Popular culture Mayor Pete (2021 documentary) Family Chasten Buttigieg (husband) Joseph Buttigieg (father)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chasten Buttigieg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasten_Buttigieg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasten_Buttigieg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.