Boston approves permit for 'Straight Pride Parade' to move forward, despite backlash
06/26/2019 UPDATE: The City of Boston presented a permit to the group Super Happy Fun America on Wednesday for its proposed “Straight Pride Parade. The parade will be held on Aug. 31 from noon to 3 p.m, CBS Boston reported.
According to Boston.com, the permit was granted to the group’s president, John Hugo. The group’s website says that the event is being held to “achieve inclusivity and spread awareness of issues impacting straights in Greater Boston and beyond.”
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While people around the world are participating in gay pride celebrations, one man in Boston is planning a counter event called the Straight Pride Parade for later this summer.
According to a Facebook post by Mark Sahady, the Boston Straight Pride Parade was approved by the City of Boston as of Thursday evening, after Sahady and others involved filed a discrimination complaint against the city. The man, who describes himself as an “army veteran, software engineer, violator of [Facebook] community standards,” in his social media biography, announced that it’s likely to take place on August 31 and encouraged people to attend and bring floats or vehicles.
“This is our chance to have a patriotic parade in Boston as we celebrate straight pride,” he wrote in his post, alongside a screenshot of the parade’s possible route and a link to Super Happy Fun America — an organization that “advocates on behalf of the straight community.”
Some responded to the post with excited reactions saying, “I’m glad you guys are doing this. It’s a very important point,” and “I will be with you in spirit.”
Hundreds of others, however, have had more visceral reactions to Sahady’s proposal on Twitter and are even poking fun at the ridiculousness of the event.
This is tragically sad.
— Dennis DiClaudio (@dennisdiclaudio) June 4, 2019
"I propose we have a regular day." -Mark
— Kar (@karlogan_) June 4, 2019
That's just called traffic, my dude....
— See Endgame Again (@bamfingbob) June 4, 2019
Beer pong, backwards hats, and douche catcalls all day? I thought that was a frat house
— Exavier Pope (@exavierpope) June 4, 2019
Thank God that somebody is finally paying attention to that long-ignored group. Or something.
— Michael Spencer (@spencer97m) June 4, 2019
Boston has a straight pride parade everytime a sports team wins. CUT THE SHIT.
— old sea dyke (@kprosciutto) June 4, 2019
I’m missing the ‘straight’ persecution and the historical riot that broke out because of it.
— TODD 🏳️🌈 🇺🇸 (@ToddSayland) June 4, 2019
Some have come forward to identify Sahady as an involved member of a group called “Boston Free Speech,” which has led a number of free speech rallies.
Not coincidentally, the guy organizing the "Straight Pride" parade has a rich history:https://t.co/S3wT6g9S2h
— Jon Zal (@OfficialJonZal) June 4, 2019
Quick reminder that as funny as the Boston "Straight Pride Parade" is, it's being organized by a known violent fascist and will likely feature the usual litany of MA/CT/NH fascist agitators that try to organize a rally every couple months
— noam 🅱️homsky (@behr_bones) June 4, 2019
Sahady didn’t immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment. However, city officials say that the group responsible for the parade has yet to receive proper permits to hold it.
In the case that the parade does end up taking place, one Twitter user offered Sahady another possible route.
the straight pride parade in boston should have a completely straight parade route, i thought i'd save them some time by drawing one pic.twitter.com/afbUi8mtnu
— pun the jewels (@failnaut) June 4, 2019
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