“Chasten Buttigieg is a passionate advocate who is inspiring LGBTQ people across the country to live their truths and capturing the hearts of countless Americans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “As a former teacher, he is a visible and positive role model who is using his influential platform to not only speak out about LGBTQ equality, but also to support and celebrate educators and LGBTQ young people in their schools and classrooms.”

Prior to joining his husband on the campaign trail, Chasten Buttigieg was a humanities and drama teacher at Montessori Academy of Edison Lakes located in Mishawaka, a few miles from South Bend, Indiana. A theater education advocate, Montessori Academy praised him for engaging and inspiring thousands of students throughout the region, including students with autism and learning differences to pursue drama. Chasten Buttigieg’s husband Pete Buttigieg is a presidential candidate for the 2020 election and the first openly LGBTQ elected official to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. A graduate of Harvard University, a Rhodes Scholar and war veteran, Pete is the mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

Set to take place at Marriott Marquis Houston, the 2019 HRC Houston Gala brings together HRC’s most active members and supporters in the greater Houston area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality. Additional special guests at the event will include Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, actor Guillermo Diaz, singer Shea Diamond, Leadership Award recipient Ian Barrett and Community Equality Award recipient Julie Mabry. Tickets and further information are available at www.hrchouston.org 

Media interested in covering the event should request media credentials by email to viet.tran@hrc.org. Due to limited space, only members of the media who have been credentialed in advance will be allowed entrance.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organizations working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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