During the end of August, Boston was home to the “Straight Pride” parade. The “Straight Pride” Parade is an attempt to counterbalance the “Gay Pride” Parade that occurs throughout the United States and the world, during the month of June. Gay pride is expressed through parties, parades, and LGBTQ+ individuals expressing pride in their sexual orientation. Individuals, both within the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, denounce the straight pride movement as an attempt to undermine the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ before they became relatively socially accepted. However, straight pride advocate that heterosexuality must be celebrated in the same fashion as gay pride in order to establish true equality between the LGBTQ+ community and the straight community. While some people viewing this feud externally argue that straight pride is a petty attempt for media attention, I believe this is a microcosm of the larger divide occurring in society. Advocates for liberal policies argue that socially, individuals have the right to do as they please. Yet, when it comes to the straight pride parade, liberals are coming out against a generally benign event. 

Prominent left-wing advocates have come out in stark opposition to this relatively low budget and barely covered event that has very little prominent right-wing support. Antifa Berkley tweeted about the event describing it as a “White Nationalist Event” (1). At the time of writing, SuperHappyFunAmerica, the organization in charge of the straight pride parade, has less than 700 followers. Accounts with many more followers are making a point to call out an organization with a number of followers smaller than some college lectures’ attendee count. By pointing out such an organization, left-wing organizations actually give them what they want: publicity. 

This brings me to my final point: by continuing to spread coverage and denounce this organization, you are giving the straight pride movement free publicity. It is clear that SuperHappyFunAmerica is mocking and “trolling” the gay pride movement, and they want people to be outraged. The best way to show these group of trolls that they are irrelevant to you, is to ignore them. While some may argue that their actions are in direct opposition to the gay pride movement, I strongly believe that they are just doing this as a publicity stunt, and do not mean to show any hate. Funnily enough, the Hill reported that the straight pride parade organizer, “Right-wing provocateur” Milo Yiannopoulos (who is openly gay) has been named the grand marshal for Boston’s “Straight Pride” parade” (2). As Yiannopoulos himself is openly homosexual and has denounced the gay pride movement as being unnessary and over the top. Yiannopoulos has also been banned from entering Australia and has been banned from several social media platforms, including Facebook. 

As a social libertarian, I believe that two consenting adults can do whatever they please in the comfort of their own home, unless it harms either themselves or someone else in any capacity. Homosexuality or heterosexuality, both currently normalized aspects of our western culture, should continue to be accepted. Regardless of how someone feels about either sexual activity, it is not the place of any government entity or individual to dictate the personal and intimate sexual activity that may occur between two consenting adults. However, the straight pride parade is one intending to outrage the LBGTQ+ community and the greater progressive American movement. By calling them out and being outraged at their mockery, you are giving them exactly what they want: your outrage and free publicity.
(1) https://twitter.com/berkeleyantifa
(2) https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/447553-milo-yiannopoulos-named-marshal-for-straight-pride-parade