The controversial “straight pride” parade, organized by Super Happy Fun America, was held in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday (August 31), and was met with more counter-protesters than participants, according to The Guardian.
The event claimed to have 2,000 people signed up to attend. However, only about 100 people showed up in support. On the other side, over 1,000 people showed up to protest the parade itself.
The #StraightPrideParade now on its way to City Hall Plaza. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/44RayYZVRU
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) August 31, 2019
Most supporters marched with Trump banners, while some held banners and signs that said, “It’s okay to be straight.” Milo Yiannopoulos, a right-wing gay man who was named “grand marshal” of the event, told the crowd, “Add the S to LGBTQ!”
Counter-protesters drowned out the parade, shouting “Nazi scum” and “Boston hates you” at protesters as they marched past. Several shops along the parade route hung up pro-LGBTQ messages.
The parade ended at a main stage where John Hugo, the organizer of the event, gave a speech. According to Buzzfeed reporter Ryan Broderick, only about 75 people attended the speech.
36 people were arrested at the rally, mostly counter-protesters. Police allegedly used pepper spray to control the crowds.
Boston PD using mace pic.twitter.com/8Krd1k72kV
— Ryan Broderick (@broderick) August 31, 2019
Many on social media reacted to the parade. New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez likened it to a “I-Struggle-With-Masculinity” parade because of the “real incompetence at attracting women to their event.”
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1167940775797067778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1167940775797067778&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gaytimes.co.uk%2Fcommunity%2F126604%2Falexandria-ocasio-cortez-calls-straight-pride-an-i-struggle-with-masculinity-parade%2F
Others poked fun at the event, which one called “embarrassing.”
The straight pride parade is so embarrassing I'm afraid of telling my parents that I'm straight. https://t.co/2H6LI0IfjW
— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) September 1, 2019
the straight pride parade looks amazing pic.twitter.com/vC5uvtdVWh
— stephen (@stephenossola) August 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Nick_Frost/status/1168161640283590662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168161640283590662&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gaytimes.co.uk%2Fcommunity%2F126605%2Fthe-most-hilarious-reactions-to-that-embarrassing-straight-pride-parade%2F
https://twitter.com/Kevin_j__/status/1168274956548919296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168274956548919296&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gaytimes.co.uk%2Fcommunity%2F126605%2Fthe-most-hilarious-reactions-to-that-embarrassing-straight-pride-parade%2F
Just had a quick look at footage from that Straight Pride parade… pic.twitter.com/RzKtIC2eqB
— Gav Murphy (@cymrogav) September 1, 2019