The Buttigieg Campaign Says No to a Gay Bar's Stripper Pole

A Rhode Island campaign event was moved at the last minute, allegedly because of the pole.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

January 20 2020 12:27 PM EST

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May 31 2023 6:29 PM EST

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Update: The pole has been identified by patrons as a dancer pole, rather than a stripper pole.

A Providence, R.I., fundraiser for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign was moved at the last minute because of a stripper pole, according to people associated with the Friday night event.

Originally planned for the the Dark Lady, a gay bar in the Rhode Island capital, the fundraiser was moved after Buttigieg staff became aware of the pole and realized it couldn't be taken down. The event -- starring Chasten, Buttigieg's husband -- was then moved to the Hotel Providence, according to the Providence Journal.

The Dark Lady's management expressed frustration with the Buttigieg campaign.

"Pete Buttigieg's husband just canceled his appearance / fundraiser tonight at the Dark Lady because the "gay bar has a dancer pole!," the Dark Lady wrote on its Facebook page. "Sorry this event is no longer happening this evening. We guess this is what the gay candidate does to the gay community! #downonthepoles #dancersforanyoneelse"

For its part, the Buttigieg campaign didn't offer details of the last-minute move but released a statement affirming its appreciation for LGBTQ spaces:

"Our commitment to LGBTQ+ spaces is strong and we always strive to hold events in inclusive spaces," Buttigieg Deputy Press Secretary Tess Whittlesey wrote in an email to the Journal. "Pete and Chasten know first-hand how important it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to have a safe space to gather and our campaign would never do anything to intentionally disrespect such a space."