In his first visit to Indianapolis since announcing his 2020 bid for the White House, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg spoke candidly to hundreds at IUPUI on Sunday about being a millennial in Indiana, his stance on topics such as health care and gun violence, and his advice to LGBT youth.

The event at Hine Hall Auditorium at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was part of Buttigieg's 10-city tour for his autobiography, "Shortest Way Home." More than 400 people filled the auditorium to hear the Hoosier presidential candidate.

The 37-year-old's book, which landed on the New York Times' best-sellers list last week, chronicles success stories from his time as mayor, his unsuccessful campaign for state treasurer, his military service in Afghanistan, his relationship with Indiana and his return home to South Bend.

"Our part of the country really holds the key to the future of U.S. politics and economics in a lot of ways, so in the course of sharing South Bend's story, I'm really trying to tell a broader story about the interior of the U.S.," Buttigieg told IndyStar. "I want people to understand that this is a part of the country that is not afraid of change."

In 2011, at age 29, Buttigieg, a Democrat, became the youngest mayor of a U.S. city with at least 100,000 residents. From 2009 to 2017, he served as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve and, in 2014, took an unpaid leave of absence from the mayor's office to serve in Afghanistan.

While mayor of his hometown, Buttigieg came out publicly as gay and married his husband last year. Buttigieg gained national attention during an unsuccessful 2017 run for Democratic National Committee chairman.

"My community really accepted and supported me through some complicated times, " he said. "These are things that would help others give Indiana a little more credit than we get sometimes and an understanding of what Hoosier compassion really looks like."

Buttigieg on gun violence, health care

During a Q&A, Buttigieg talked questions about his positions on gun violence, health care, economic development, as well as his advice to the LGBT community and even his pick for best actress at the Academy Awards.

Regarding gun violence, Buttigieg said he would use a similar strategy to what he implemented in South Bend. The group violence intervention strategyinvolves identifying those who are most likely to shoot someone or be killed. The effort then helps them get the help and resources they need to succeed, he said.

"Taking a stance on gun violence is not always popular in Indiana," he said. "There are some weapons that simply do not have a place in American neighborhoods and streets."

He also said he believes in a "Medicare for all" system.

"We would take a version of Medicare and would make it available on the exchanges for people to buy in as a public option," he said. "But there are some things we have to do about the costs of the system."

And he told the LGBT community to never stay quiet.

"Speak up and be assertive. Have a voice," he said. "We need your help to bring about change and trust me, it's possible."

His pick for the best actress at the Oscars? Lady Gaga.

"Only because when I went on 'The Late Show,' Bradley Cooper was there, too," he joked.

Buttigieg not worried about poll numbers

A month after launching his presidential exploratory committee, Buttigieg is still striving to overcome low name recognition, according to recent polling.

But on Sunday, he said he's not concerned about poll numbers because the nominating contests are still a year away.

"I'm not worried about that," he told IndyStar. "I'm definitely among the least famous people entering this conversation, and I think that's one of the biggest advantages that I have."

And even low numbers have not kept him off the GOP's radar. On the day Buttigieg announced his exploratory committee, Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Ahrens challenged Buttigieg's work in South Bend.

In an email to media, Ahrens said Buttigieg should focus on filling potholes and reducing crime before he "wastes time on a presidential campaign."

"His bid isn't just bad news for residents," Aherns said, "it's more proof that Democrats are about to endure the most crowded, divisive and contentious primary in history."

Buttigieg is in his second term as mayor and broke the news in mid-December that he would not seek a third, opening the door for his presidential bid.

His book tour continues in Los Angeles and Seattle.

IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange contributed to this report.