BOSTON — Pride month is underway in Boston, the birthplace of same-sex marriage in the United States. As gay-friendly events are underway in Boston, so are preparations for a possible “Straight Pride” parade this summer.
John Hugo, president of Super Happy Fun America, the group organizing the parade, told Boston 25 News he’s fighting for tolerance for everybody.
Super Happy Fun America bills itself as an advocate for “the straight community to foster respect and awareness with people from all walks of life.”
“There’s a ‘gay this’ and ‘trans this,’” Hugo said. “What is so offensive about a ‘straight pride’ parade?"
Hugo said he feels straight people are an oppressed minority, which he added is unfairly labeled as hate.
“We asked to add an 'S' to LGBTQ for straight because that acronym gets longer every year as you know,” Hugo said. “You can be any kind of sexual orientation. They make them up by the day now, but we wanted to add straight, nothing doing.”
Hugo and other parade organizers have designed a flag and designated actor Brad Pitt as their mascot because he’s “a hero to all straight men around the world.”
In a statement, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh declined to specifically address the proposal. Instead, he focused on the LGBTQ Pride and encouraged people to attend the official pride parade and fight for equality for everyone.
“Every year Boston hosts our annual Pride Week, where our city comes together to celebrate the diversity, strength and acceptance of our LGBTQ community,” Walsh said. “This is a special week that represents Boston’s values of love and inclusion, which are unwavering.”
Linda DeMarco, president of Boston Pride, which is organizing the Pride Parade on Saturday, said her group is focused on making this year’s parade the biggest yet.
“We know that straight allies of the LGBTQ community are among the thousands of supporters who come out every year to march, observe and celebrate," DeMarco said.
Hugo said his group does have gay allies and if their parade gets the green light, he already had an unnamed prominent gay conservative lined up as a keynote speaker.
“All are invited,” Hugo said.
Organizers of the “Straight Pride” parade tentatively plan to host the event in late August. The City of Boston has been in contact with the group, but at this time, hasn’t issued any permits.
Organizers also filed a discrimination complaint against the City of Boston for permission to fly their “Straight Pride” flag outside City Hall.
“Straight Pride Parade” was trending on Twitter Tuesday.
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