Pete Buttigieg’s closing statement at the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday was historic as he candidly told the story of his coming out in response to a question about resilience. The Indiana native recalled being a military officer during the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gay service members and then working as an elected official in his state under then-Gov. Mike Pence. He told viewers that he wondered “whether just acknowledging who I was was going to be the biggest career-ending professional setback.” Eventually the 37-year-old made a choice and decided to come out after returning from a deployment in Afghanistan. “I came back from the deployment and realized that you only get to live one life, and I was not interested in not knowing what it was like to be in love any longer. So, I just came out. I had no idea what kind of professional setback it would be,” he said.

Here is @PeteButtigieg’s response to being asked about his biggest profesional setback. He talked about his struggle with coming out #DemDebatepic.twitter.com/c7wQNkJ1aQ — Max Lewis (@MaxLewisTV) September 13, 2019

The mayor went on to explain that it was an election year in his “socially conservative” community and that he wasn’t sure what would happen after his coming out. “When I trusted voters to judge me based on the job that I did for them, they decided to trust me and they reelected me with 80% of the vote,” Buttigieg said. “And what I learned was that trust can be reciprocated and that part of how you can win and deserve to win is to know what’s worth more to you than winning. I think that’s what we need in the presidency right now. We have to know what we are about.” The moment marks the first in American history when we’ve heard someone from the LGBTQ community openly talk on a presidential debate stage about what it was like to come out. Buttigieg has talked publicly about being gay and his struggles with an “internal war.” He’s also talked about how he came out but never on a platform such as this. Many supporters of Buttigieg and viewers of the debate lauded the politician for his transparency, including his husband, Chasten.

Those of us who are LGBT know that we come out every day. Every single day. A presidential candidate just did, again, in front of millions of Americans. That take courage and I couldn’t be prouder to be his husband. — Chasten Buttigieg (@Chas10Buttigieg) September 13, 2019

Here’s what others had to say about the significant moment:

.@PeteButtigieg telling his coming out story on the national stage will help other people feel comfortable to do the same.



It has the potential to save lives. A powerful moment. #DemDebate — Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) September 13, 2019

.@PeteButtigieg sharing his coming out experience right now is ... everything #DemDebate — Lynda Tran (@Lynda_Tran) September 13, 2019

"I was not interested in not knowing what it was like to be in love any longer, so I just came out." @PeteButtigieg reflecting on the power of coming out and the power of trust was an incredible moment in the #DemDebate — Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) September 13, 2019

Mayor Pete Buttigieg ... OMG ... just a pitch perfect answer to the Q about resilience.



He speaks candidly/honestly about coming out as a gay man, about trust, and about not knowing whether his career would be over by living his truth.



So much humanity there.#DemDebate — Lynnette KhalfaniCox (@themoneycoach) September 13, 2019

.@PeteButtigieg tells his story about coming out on a national, presidential stage.



Regardless of where his candidacy goes, this moment is powerful and important for every kid watching.



"I was not interested in not knowing what it was like to be in love." — Elena Schneider (@ec_schneider) September 13, 2019