Following the conclusion of Pride Month in June, a few heterosexual people said they wanted their chance to freely express their sexuality. Led by the organization “Super Happy Fun America,” Boston’s First Straight Pride Parade was approved for August 31.
The idea of a straight pride parade has been brought up in the past all over the country, however an official parade has never been approved.
Now, what is the importance of the straight pride? The obvious need for representation for the community? The many people kicked out of their homes due to their sexuality? Straight people being killed for loving who they love?
Oh wait, that doesn’t happen to straight people.
Now, I’m straight, not that it should matter. My sexuality surprisingly doesn’t impact my opinion. Let’s dig a little deeper into why this organization pressed for a parade for the “oppressed majority” that is straight people. And yes, that is what Super Happy Fun America referred to straight people as.
Super Happy Fun America pushed to have their own version of the straight flag hang alongside of the Pride flag during the Boston Pride Parade on June 8. The blue and pink flag has “represented our community for over 0.8 years,” according to the Super Happy Fun America website.
No official Straight Flag has been identified, although there are multiple variations of the flag out across the internet.
Despite the group’s attempts, Boston’s mayor, Marty Walsh’s administration refused to fly the flag at Boston City Hall.
Many celebrities have shown their disapproval of the event, as they’ve voiced their opinions on social media about the people behind the organization.
The event had faced major backlash, with some people claiming that the need for a straight pride parade “feels unnecessary.” The co-stars of the talk show The View all oppose the straight pride parade. Whoopi Goldberg deems the parade “ridiculous.”
Goldberg claimed that the group is trying to organize a “straight white guy parade,” but the organization pointed out that Vice President of Super Happy Fun America Mark Sahady is Syrian.
Chris Bartley, former Gay Ambassador of Super Happy Fun America, also expressed his opinion that he shouldn’t be assumed straight for advocating for straight rights.
“Just because I am gay does not mean I can’t advocate on behalf of straights,” Bartley said. Bartley officially removed his name from the straight pride parade due to a family event conflict.
With its goal with a straight pride being granted, Super Happy Fun America has expressed the new goal of adding an “S” for straight to the acronym for the LGBT+ community. When Super Happy Fun America first made its request for the straight pride, among the list of demands was that the “S” should be added, due to the fact that it would make the acronym “more inclusive.”
Honestly, this was August 31, months ago. But the idea of a straight parade still baffles me. A parade for what exactly? Instead of complaining of a lack of parades, be glad we don’t need one.