June is Pride month for the LGBTQ community, a time when individuals reflect on the struggles that have been faced and overcome by people in that group, as well as a protest in favor of more recognition of rights that are needed in order for millions of Americans to be treated fairly within society.
But some people don’t see it that way. A group with far-right extremist ties in Boston has tried to prop up a “straight pride” parade in response to Pride, arguing that straights have been oppressed, too, and deserve to be recognized.
The idea is laughable — and a questionable reaction against the LGBTQ community that could be viewed as hateful.
Importantly, it’s hard to fathom how any individual has been harassed, denied housing, refused the right to marry the person they love, restricted from buying a house or apartment, or faced other types of similar acts of discrimination based solely out of them being a heterosexual individual.
Nevertheless, Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren has come to the defense of straight people and the “straight pride parade” organizers.
“You can be proud of about anything days, so long as it’s not straight, white, male, or God forbid, conservative,” Lahren lamented this week in a segment for Fox News.
“Don’t forget, it is open season on straight white men in this country, and y’all aren’t allowed to celebrate your straightness,” she continued. “Although the group touted they were working with Boston City officials to get their parade permit, city officials have said otherwise. Apparently, they have not been issued said permit.”
Lahren said she had “no issue with LGBT people being proud of who they are,” but within the same breath she also said she was bothered by men who wore “speedos and buttless chaps” in Pride parades.
That’s fine, of course — it’s more of a personal preference on her part, and no one should try to suggest her opinion on male garments is wrong. But what’s disturbing is how ignorant her comments on the “straight pride parade” were, and how the Fox News contributor failed to disclose the group’s violent ties.
One of the organizers of the “straight pride parade,” Mark Sahady, is part of an extremist organization called “Resist Marxism,” a group that claims to merely be for protecting the Constitution, but which also engages in anti-Semitic behavior behind closed doors, ThinkProgress reported.
The organization’s founder, Kyle “Based Stickman” Chapman, reportedly attacked anti-fascist protesters with a stick. “Resist Marxism” has also hired white nationalist hate groups to do security detail for them at past events as well, The Daily Beast reported.
None of this was mentioned by Lahren during her rant, who chastised Boston officials for failing so far to cooperate with the group to get them a permit for their parade.
Fox host touts "straight pride parade" organized by a far right group founded by a white nationalist: "It's open season on straight white men in this country" pic.twitter.com/AMbCCFF0dC
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) June 6, 2019
Lahren explained to her audience that “it is open season on straight white men in this country, and y’all aren’t allowed to celebrate your straightness.”
“Isn’t it funny how the so-called loving and tolerant leftists and members of the LGBT community demand respect for their events and celebrations, but are so quick to diminish, demonize, and mock groups they disagree with?” Lahren said. “I’m not afraid to say it. I’m straight and proud. There, deal with it!”
Again, Pride Month for the LGBTQ community isn’t about simply being proud — that’s a big part of it, to be sure, but it’s not the sole aspect of what it means. Pride is also about the larger struggle for recognition over the years, and the continued fight for equality in day-to-day life.
That concept seems to elude Lahren and the “straight pride parade” organizers.
Featured image via screen grab/ABC News
