A ‘Straight Pride Parade’ is currently being planned to take place in Boston, sparking outrage on social media.
June is LGBT Pride Month, and is therefore often the one time of the year when members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe in celebrating their identity and history.
However, one group (of straight men) seemingly felt so put out that an entire 30 days were being dedicated to someone other than themselves that they jumped on the bandwagon and decided to create a parade of their own.
The parade, which is yet to be approved by the city of Boston, was first proposed by a group of men who refer to themselves as ‘Super Happy Fun America’.
Their website states they are ‘committed to creating spaces for people of all identities to embrace the vibrancy of the straight community’. Yikes.
Last week, the club’s vice president, Mark Sahady, claimed on social media the city was ‘working with them’ to organise the ‘straight pride parade’.
He went on to state that the group had filed a ‘discrimination complaint’ which officials now understand they would ‘lose in litigation’.
Sahady, who according to his Facebook page is a Trump supporter, made the claim that the streets will be closed to allow floats and vehicles, with a tentative date being set for August 31. However, a post on their website makes clear that the event is still pending approval from Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
The post reads:
Unfortunately, the Walsh administration is not yet committed to creating a supportive environment for straights and equality for all.
We will continue to educate the Mayor and the public in anticipation that one day straights will be able to celebrate their lifestyle like everyone else. What better way to educate and foster unity than by having a parade!
Obviously, people were not here for this so-called ‘Straight Pride Parade’ at all and made their thoughts clear on social media – with even the band Smash Mouth getting involved.
Clap. Back.
Perhaps the best response though came from Chris Evans (aka Captain America), who wasn’t here for these guys’ sh*t and basically told them where to go.
Renaming the parade to the ‘desperately trying to bury our own gay thoughts by being homophobic because no one taught us how to access our emotions as children parade’ – which has a definite ring to it, might I add – the actor made clear just how ridiculous he thought the concept was.
And it was brilliant:
Following the backlash surrounding the planned parade, Mayor Walsh provided a statement to UNILAD in which he talks about the city’s planned pride events.
Walsh said:
Every year Boston hosts our annual Pride Week, where our city comes together to celebrate the diversity, strength and acceptance of our LGBTQ community.
This is a special week that represents Boston’s values of love and inclusion, which are unwavering. I encourage everyone to join us in celebration this Saturday for the Pride Parade and in the fight for progress and equality for all.
Furthermore, his office confirmed that although Super Happy Fun America has been in contact with the City of Boston, it has not yet received the necessary permits to host a parade.
At a time when homophobia is still so prevalent in society, it’s such a shame that the LGBTQ+ society can’t even be allowed one month out of 12 to celebrate their identity without people trying to take it away from them.
Pride parades exist to celebrate communities that have fought adversity, marginalisation, and continue to do so in large parts of the world. The struggles of straight men in America, and the world over, is hardly comparable.
UNILAD has reached out to Mark Sahady and Super Happy Fun America for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, and want to speak to someone in confidence contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 9am until 9pm Monday to Friday, and 10am until 6pm Saturday, Or email helpline@lgbt.foundation
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).