Straight pride
A controversial topic, the notion of straight pride arose as a reaction to and in protest of the gay pride movement. It is ambiguously defined, and may describe a number of positions on gay rights issues.
Central message
Straight Pride maintains that, while homosexuality is not negative in and of itself, the (often called "traditional") family unit consisting of a father, a mother and their children is the original societal foundation of western civilization[1] and should be treated as such. It advocates that, in order to receive a healthy upbringing, children need parents of both sexes so that they will not incur psychological or social deficiencies. However, research to date contradicts this stance.[2]
Some advocating straight pride reject the message that gays and lesbians should be discriminated against by society,[3] but believe that they should not enjoy the same rights of civil engagement nor of adopting children that heterosexual couples do.[1] This distinction is not clear, if made at all. For example, the self-proclaimed "official" website and clothing store of straight pride, StraightPride.com, draws its substantive ideological content from sources like WorldNetDaily [4], The Australian Family Association [5], and The New American[6]. There is also a link between some straight pride advocates and anti-gay activism.[7]
Criticisms
Opponents of straight pride view it as anti-gay[8] and claim that it is based on lack of understanding for behind the gay community's "gay pride movement."[9]
Straight pride is sometimes compared to White Pride[9] on the basis that both causes promote a group of people who, unlike homosexuals, do not lack civil rights and who are not oppressed.
Controversial activism
16 year-old Elliott Chambers and his parents filed a lawsuit against Woodbury High School in Minnesota when the principal told him that he couldn't wear his "straight pride" t-shirt despite the fact that gay students were allowed to wear "gay pride" shirts and patches. The American Family Association decided to represent him. A federal court ruled the school's ban on the shirt unconstitutional and said it violated the Constitution's guarantee of free speech to ban it.[7]
References
- ^ a b "About Us" from "Straight Pride Clothing Company" website
- ^ Herek, Gregory (2006). "Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships in the United States: A Social Science Perspective" (PDF). American Psychologist. 61: 607–21.
- ^ The Shorthorn article "Group counters ‘Straight Pride’ with ‘Human Pride’"
- ^ "Taking Marriage Back" from StraightPride.com
- ^ "Answering Advocates of Gay Marriage" from StraightPride.com
- ^ "Must Reads" on StraightPride.com
- ^ a b Minnesota Family Council "Student fights ban on ‘Straight Pride’ shirt"
- ^ TheDenverChannel.com's article "College Republicans Plan 'Straight Pride Week'"
- ^ a b LAMBDA's article "Those Flaming Heterosexuals"