The media has taken notice of the alleged "feud" between South Bend mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and Vice President Mike Pence. Upon closer examination, however, it doesn't appear to be much of a feud at all—since Pence is not participating.

The backstory: Buttigieg has, even before gaining national recognition in recent months, consistently opposed Pence's view on LGBTQ issues. Although both are professing Christians, Pence adheres to the traditional biblical views of sexuality and marriage. Buttigieg is openly gay, and married.



At particular issue between the two Indiana natives is the issue of religious freedom, which is typically viewed by liberals as anti-LGBTQ.

Pence signed the 2015 Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect businesses and individuals from being forced to violate their religious beliefs, but the bill caused significant controversy due to accusations that it legalized discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Did Buttigieg ever discuss this with Pence? The two men certainly crossed paths at different times while Pence was governor of Indiana, but Buttigieg, by his own admission last year, never approached the issue with Pence. And, notably, Pence never attacked Buttigieg for his sexuality, despite their disagreement.



Edward-Isaac Dovere of the Atlantic recalled asking Buttigieg about it last year. Buttigieg told Dovere that Pence never mentioned Buttigieg's sexuality, and said "I think he knew not to discuss that with me."

When Dovere asked Buttigieg if he ever tried to bring the topic up to Pence, Buttigieg seemed to imply that it would be pointless to do so—although that hasn't stopped him from taking numerous public shots at Pence.

"No. You know, once I was in a room with some mayors and we were talking about, I think, a totally different issue. I was president of the Urban Mayors Caucus, and we were there to talk about tax stuff. And it was in that period when he was getting ready for the religious freedom thing and he just said, "I want you to know that in my heart I just believe this is the right thing to do." I was just like—maybe I should have tried to talk him out of it, but I don't think I would have reached him. It was just clear that you weren't going to get anywhere on the social stuff with him. He's just in a different place, and that kind of reasoning, I don't think, reaches him."

Buttigieg said over the weekend that if Pence or any other Christian has a problem with someone being gay, they have a "quarrel" with God.