The mayor of Indiana city South Bend has married his partner of three years in a ceremony which was streamed live on YouTube.
Mayor Peter Buttigieg (affectionately referred to by locals as 'Mayor Pete') met 28-year-old school teacher Chasten Glezman on a dating app shortly after coming out as gay in 2015.
Buttigieg, 33, is a rising star in the Democrat Party and has even been tipped as a possible future president by former US president Barack Obama.
Following the pair's reception, which was attended by 200 family members and friends, the newlyweds attended a local Pride Week block party, where Buttigieg addressed the crowd.
“We know that only a few years ago this wouldn’t have even been possible," he said.
"So, thank you for everything you’ve done to make sure this is a welcoming community."
He added: "And happy Pride!”
Buttigieg came out publicly after Vice President Mike Pence, then Indiana State Governor, signed a controversial religious freedom bill which was set to impact the lives of local LGBTIQ+ people.
“I was well into adulthood before I was prepared to acknowledge the simple fact that I am gay,” he wrote in an op-ed for The South Bend Tribune.
He continued: “It took years of struggle and growth for me to recognise that it’s just a fact of life, like having brown hair, and part of who I am."
Seeking re-election, Buttigieg wrote: “It makes me no better or worse at handling a spreadsheet, a rifle, a committee meeting, or a hiring decision."
Following the publication of his essay, the local State Theatre updated its marquee to read: “Thanks for being you, Mayor Pete.”
