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Straight pride

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Straight pride is a slogan that arose in the late 1980s and early 1990s that has primarily been used by social conservatives as a political stance and strategy.[1] The term is described as a response to gay pride[2][3][4] adopted by various groups (later united under the moniker LGBTQ+) in the early 1970s, or to the accommodations provided to gay pride initiatives.

Straight pride backlash incidents have generated controversy and media attention. School policies and court decisions regarding freedom of expression have drawn particular attention, spotlighting individuals protesting school expressions against harassment of LGBTQ adolescents.[4][5][6]

Background

Stonewall riots spark gay pride

LGBTQ history traces back to ancient civilizations, but gay pride is usually associated with the modern LGBTQ rights movement that was sparked by the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. Newspaper coverage of the events was minor, since, in the 1960s, huge marches and mass rioting had become commonplace and the Stonewall riots were relatively small. It was the commemorative march one year later that drew 5,000 marchers up New York City's Sixth Avenue, that got nationwide publicity and led to modern-day LGBTQ pride marches. A new period of liberalism in the late 1960s began a new era of more social acceptance for homosexuality which lasted until the late 1970s. In the 1970s, the popularity of disco music and its culture in many ways made society more accepting of gays and lesbians. Late in 1979, a new religious revival ushered in the conservatism that would reign in the United States during the 1980s, becoming another obstacle for the progress of the LGBTQ movement.

Straight pride as an appeal to ridicule

The concept of LGBTQ pride originates as a movement which seeks to challenge the negative images of LGBTQ people[7] by being openly identified with a culturally stigmatized group; as such, it creates a discomfort.[2]

In this context, the terms straight pride and heterosexual pride exist as an argument criticizing gay pride as unnecessary, stating by contrast with heterosexuality that heterosexuals "don't talk about straight pride",[2] don't have "straight pride rallies",[3] and would be seen as ridiculous if they were to "band together and have a heterosexual pride [...] parade".[8]

This appeal to ridicule argument expresses the idea that showing pride for a homosexual orientation is equally absurd. Analysts of LGBTQ rights state as a counter-argument that mainstream culture offers many approved social venues (weddings, baptism, family reunions and so on) for heterosexuals to express and celebrate their sexual orientation in public, while homosexuals usually feel isolated and pride parades offer them support and an opportunity for socializing.[3]

Straight pride events

"Heterosexual pride" parades exist as a response to societal acceptance of LGBTQ visibility, and originated in campuses in the 1990s as a backlash tactic.[1][4]

Incidents where the slogan or concept of "Straight pride" caused controversy have occurred since the late 1980s. In 1988, for example, Vermont Republican John Burger asked the state's Governor to establish a "Straight Pride Day".[9] In 1990, rallies in support of Straight Pride were held: at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMASS), organized by the group Young Americans for Freedom; and nearby Mount Holyoke College.[10] The UMass event was promoted as "Burn a Fag in Effigy" rally.[11] Conservative organizations at UMASS-Amherst held another such event the next year, attended by about fifty people and protested by a crowd estimated to be ten times larger.[12]

Events which draw media attention are "Straight pride parades"[13][14][15] or "Straight Pride days",[9][16][17][18] often organized in response to similar events organized by LGBTQ groups.[19] Other events, typically occurring in United States high schools where First Amendment concerns arise,[20] have revolved around people desiring to wear "Straight Pride" t-shirts.[21][22][23][24][25]

At a 2010 Tea Party Express rally in Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, a vendor was selling T-shirts printed with the slogan "Straight Pride".[26] Some state and national gay advocacy groups denounced the shirts, claiming that they echoed the use by racist groups of a "white pride" slogan. Some of the opposition arose from reports that the shirt seller was a sponsor of the event with a cut of sales funding the Tea Party Express, although those reports may not have been accurate.[26][27]

Support for straight pride events is often based on religious objections to homosexuality.[12][28] Groups such as the White Aryan Resistance and Ku Klux Klan have also tried to oppose "gay pride" by stressing straight pride.[29]

Individual events

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada (2005)

In May 2005, the northern Canadian city of Yellowknife announced that it would mark both a gay and straight pride day.[16] After the mayor proclaimed June 10, 2005 as Gay Pride Day, Councillor Alan Woytuik proposed that there be a Heterosexual Day. The mayor agreed and set it for June 9. Woytuik defended the proposal for Heterosexual Day by stating that "recognizing the contributions of heterosexuals is just as legitimate as recognizing the contributions of gay and lesbian communities." The group seeking the Gay Pride Day designation was dismayed, asking if Black History Month would be partnered with White Heritage Month and whether days marking heart disease and strokes should be paired with days celebrating good health.[16] Woytuik's request for Heterosexual Day was widely reported on. Shocked by the attention, he withdrew his request for the proclamation and apologized. He referred to his request as a simple one seeking to treat everyone the same which was blown out of proportion. The city subsequently rescinded its proclamation of Heterosexual Day.[30]

Budapest, Hungary (2010)

In 2010, a heterosexual pride march was held in Budapest. Following the route of an earlier gay pride parade, one hundred people participated including two politicians. The march's stated goal was to prevent future use of public spaces by homosexuals for gatherings.[15]

São Paulo, Brazil (2011)

In August, 2011, the city council of São Paulo, Brazil, voted to designate the third Sunday in December as Heterosexual Pride Day ("Dia do orgulho hétero" in Portuguese).[17] Debate in Brazil was intense over the controversy.[31][32] Evangelical supporter Carlos Apolinário, that previously tried to ban São Paulo Gay Pride Parade,[31] told reporters that his idea "not anti-gay, but a protest against the privileges the gay community enjoys." The Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Association criticized this claim, arguing "it could provoke homophobic violence."[33]

Helsinki, Finland (2011)

Contrary to most straight prides, the Helsinki gay pride march organizers themselves arranged a group called "Ylpeät Heterot" ("Proud Heterosexuals") as a part of the gay pride march for those heterosexuals who want to show their support for the march.[34]

Seattle, Washington State, United States (2015)

Local artist Anthony Rebello arranged a heterosexual pride parade in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle in July 2015, in which he was the only person to march. The event stirred up concern among the residents after finding a post written on his personal blog[35] and a picture of him posing with a gun surfaced on social media and local news.[36][37]

Chipman, New Brunswick, Canada (2018)

In October 2018, Chipman, New Brunswick resident Glenn Bishop put up a straight pride flag, which was taken down a short while later by LGBTQ people. Hoisting the straight flag was likened to "putting up a swastika" by local Margaret Clark. The flag drew further protests.[38]

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (2019)

Don Grundmann, a Bay Area chiropractor, founded the National Straight Pride Coalition (NSPC) in Spring of 2019 for “protecting traditional gender roles, Christianity, heterosexuality, Western Civilization, babies, and the contributions of whites to Western Civilization from the malevolence of the homosexual movement.”[39] Grundmann had previously founded Citizens Against Perversion and American Warrior Ministry.[39] The NSPC’s first event was planned to be at Modesto, California's Mancini Bowl, the Graceada Park amphitheater, but the permit was denied for safety and compatibility issues, and because their insurance was voided.[40] After failing again to get the needed insurance for a public venue because of the nature of their event,[41] they moved the rally to a private space but were shut down by the owners when they were alerted the event was live streaming and more counter-protesters would likely arrive.[39] The owners were unaware of the nature of the event or group and have disavowed their involvement.[39] After the rally was kicked out of the private venue, they moved to the parking lot of the area’s Planned Parenthood, which was closed.[42] “Grundmann had predicted some 500 attendees, but reports put the number closer to 20.”[42] Counter-protestors outnumbered participants ten-to-one.[42]

Boston, Massachusetts, United States (2019)

Boston Straight Pride Parade attendees on August 31, 2019. An attendee holds a sign depicting two hands making the 'OK' gesture.

The group Super Happy Fun America (SHFA) organized an August 31 "Straight Pride Parade"[43] that attracted several hundred participants and thousands of protesters.[44] Counter-protesters vastly outnumbered attendees of the parade.[45][46] SHFA called the event "a response to the 'identity politics' of the left."[43] Emerson College's president M. Lee Pelton warned about the event, as the parade route, starting at Copley Square and ending at Boston City Hall, borders the college campus. He said the event represents "fear and ignorance, humanity's most potent cocktail, masquerading as freedom of speech"[43] in response to which SHFA organizer Samson Racioppi asked for a retraction and apology.[43] The SHFA group was created in 2017 by Kyle Chapman, who founded the hate group Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights a week after the Charlottesville Unite the Right riot.[47] Staff include president John Hugo, former Republican Congressional candidate; and vice president Mark Sahady, "a member of the right-wing group Resist Marxism, who has organized several right-wing demonstrations in the past."[43] SHFA announced the event in June 2019. Racioppi, Sahady, and Hugo contacted the police in early July 2019 when envelopes filled with glitter were mailed to them.[48] One of the event's attendees, Marky Hutt, previously founded a group for gay Trump supporters; he said the organizers of the Straight Pride event had invited him to attend, and he was present at the event with his same-gender fiancé.[44]

Amateur video showing police arresting a counter-protester at the August 2019 parade

Thirty-four counter-protesters were arrested at the event. Boston city councilor Michelle Wu suggested that police tactics and choice of equipment raised tensions between police and counter-protesters.[49]

High school shirt incidents

"All students benefit from the respectful and thoughtful exchange of ideas and sharing of beliefs and practices. Schools, in particular, are environments that can provide education of both the substance of diversity and the responsible manner with which such diversity is approached and expressed"[50]

Judge Donovan Frank closing Chambers v Babbitt (2001)

In 2001, Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota, created homophobia-free areas called "safe zones" designated by an inverted pink triangle and intended for gay students.[22] Student Elliot Chambers reacted by wearing a makeshift sweatshirt with the slogan "Straight Pride" and the image of male and female stick figures holding hands. In light of previous anti-gay incidents, the school's principal ordered Chambers to remove the shirt, and a court case ensued.[5] A court upheld Chambers' complaint that his First Amendment rights had been violated, and that the principal's decision was unjustified.[5] Although praising the principal's intentions, the judge explained that views of both sides of the debate should be allowed and that such issues should be resolved within the school's community, not within the court system.[5] Under the Tinker case, the court stated that the substantial disruptions claimed by the school must be shown to have some connection to Chambers' sweatshirt message of "Straight Pride".[51]

In 2010, in response to suicides amongst gay adolescents, an Ally Week was held at St. Charles North High School in St. Charles, Illinois. On the first day of this Ally Week, though, three students arrived wearing "Straight Pride" t-shirts. The back of these t-shirts displayed "Leviticus 20:13", a verse stating that men who perform homosexual acts should be put to death. While the school did not force the students to remove their t-shirts, it did persuade them to remove the Bible quotation. The following day two different students arrived wearing "Straight Pride" t-shirts minus the Bible quotations and were consequently asked to remove their shirts.[6][52] In an opinion piece on the St. Charles incident, Eric Zorn (a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune) opined that "the expression 'Straight Pride' can only be read as a gratuitous and contemptuous response to the suggestion that gay people not be marginalized."[4]

Balancing freedom of expression vs. protection of students

In school environments, straight pride expressions and events have been reviewed within a framework of balancing freedom of expression with protection of other students. In some situations, schools take actions against students who are open about or encourage hiding homosexuality, or limit clothing that has references to sexual orientation. Such may prompt lawsuits.[53] In the Minnesota Chambers v. Babbitt case, "The court noted that maintaining a school community of tolerance includes tolerance of such viewpoints as expressed by 'Straight Pride' as well as tolerance of homosexuality."[53] Conversely, it is advocated[by whom?] that students (including openly gay students) who are valued and respected are "more likely to learn and achieve than students who are not",[53] requiring[by whom?] a balance in the school's approach to straight pride expressions.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Making colleges and universities safe for gay and lesbian students: Report and recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth" (PDF). Massachusetts. Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth., p.20. "A relatively recent tactic used in the backlash opposing les/bi/gay/trans campus visibility is the so-called "heterosexual pride" strategy".
  2. ^ a b c Eliason, Michele J.; Schope, Robert (2007). "Shifting Sands or Solid Foundation? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Identity Formation". In Meyer, I.H.; Northridge, M.E. (eds.). The Health of Sexual Minorities. pp. 3–26. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4_1. ISBN 978-0-387-28871-0. "Not surprisingly, individuals in the pride stage are most criticized not only by heterosexual persons but also many LGBT individuals, who are uncomfortable forcing the majority to share the discomfort. Heterosexual individuals may express bewilderment at the term “gay pride,” arguing that they do not talk about “straight pride”".
  3. ^ a b c Eliason, Michele. Who cares?: institutional barriers to health care for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, p.55 (1996)
  4. ^ a b c d Zorn, Eric (November 14, 2010). "When pride turns shameful". Chicago Tribune.
  5. ^ a b c d Ayres, Ian; Brown, Jennifer Gerarda (2005). Straightforward: how to mobilize heterosexual support for gay rights (Google eBook). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. pp. 41–43. ISBN 978-0-691-12134-5.
  6. ^ a b Fuller, James (11 November 2010). "'Straight Pride' shirts become free speech fight at St. Charles North". Daily Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Kameny, Frank". glbtq.com. "Kameny [...] coined the slogan 'Gay is Good'."
  8. ^ Howard P. Kainz (1999). Politically Incorrect Dialogues: Topics Not Discussed in Polite Circles. ISBN 978-9042006867., p.39. One of the two fictional philosophers in the dialogs states: "If, for example, heterosexuals were to band together and have a 'heterosexual pride' (or '"straight" pride') parade, it would be recognized immediately as dumb and ridiculous."
  9. ^ a b (30 July 1988). Vermont, USA Today ("John Burger of state Republican Assembly wants Gov. Kunin to designate Nov. 8 "Straight Pride Day" ")
  10. ^ (6 May 1990). Rallies Opposing Gay Students Disrupt Campuses, The New York Times
  11. ^ Hadden, Briton; Luce, Henry Robinson (April 7, 1991). "Time". Time Incorporated – via Google Books.
  12. ^ a b "Campus Life: Massachusetts; Angry Gay Groups Drown Out Rally By Conservatives". The New York Times. 10 March 1991. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  13. ^ (8 July 1999). London hosts straight and gay pride parades, Kitchener Record ("The city's gay pride parade on Sunday has a rival -- a straight pride parade organized at the same time and on practically the same route.")
  14. ^ (17 June 2002). Oakland Today - Marchers take part in straight pride parade, Detroit Free Press ("About 100 people marched through downtown Ferndale on Sunday morning in a Straight Pride Parade")
  15. ^ a b MTI (2010-09-06). "Anti-gay parade held in Budapest". caboodle.hu. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  16. ^ a b c "Yellowknife to mark gay and straight pride". CBCnews Canada. May 25, 2005. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  17. ^ a b Ring, Trudy (August 4, 2011). "Brazilian City Seeks Heterosexual Pride Day". The Advocate. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  18. ^ (17 October 1997). Straight Pride Day fails at ETSU campus, The Oak Ridger
  19. ^ (2 June 1992). Gay topics go public, USA Today ("On college campuses, where gay student groups are no longer unusual, 'you see increased incidences of straight pride rallies in retaliation against gay pride'.")
  20. ^ (3 October 2004). They Dress To Express, Newsweek
  21. ^ Case Mary Anne. A Lot to Ask: Review Essay of Martha Nussbaum's from Disgust to Humanity: Sexual Orientation and Constitutional Law, 19 Colum. J. Gender & L. 89, 118 (2010) (discussing "T-shirt wars" that "condemn and denigrate other students on the basis of their sexual orientation)
  22. ^ a b Fenton, Ben (18 January 2002). "Student wins right to show 'straight pride'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  23. ^ (8 September 2003). Telling it (too much) like it is, Fort Morgan Times
  24. ^ (8 June 1998). Gay pride display removed, Lodi News Sentinel (Associated Press story)
  25. ^ Saunders, Kevin W. Degradation: What the History of Obscenity Tells Us About Hate Speech, p. 187-88 (2011)
  26. ^ a b Heywood, Todd A. (April 12, 2010). "'Straight pride' shirts at Tea Party rally draw fire". The Michigan Messenger. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  27. ^ Lepore, Jill (2010). The whites of their eyes: the Tea Party's revolution and the battle over American history. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ. Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-0-691-15027-7.
  28. ^ (6 September 2009). What does one wear to a straight pride parade?, Duluth News Tribune
  29. ^ Blazak, Randy (2001). "White boys to terrorist men: Target recruitment of Nazi Skinheads" (PDF). American Behavioral Scientist. 44 (6): 993. doi:10.1177/00027640121956629. S2CID 145374040. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  30. ^ "'Shocked' councillor withdraws Straight Pride motion". CBC News North. May 30, 2005. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  31. ^ a b Flock, Elizabeth (June 22, 2011). ""Straight Pride" as Brazil's gay pride parade kicks off". The Washington Post.
  32. ^ Ring, Trudy. "Brazilian City Seeks Heterosexual Pride Day | World News". The Advocate. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  33. ^ Levesque, Brody (August 4, 2011). "Sao Paulo lawmaker calls for 'straight pride' to counter 'privileged' gay celebration". LGBTQ Nation.
  34. ^ "HS Metro | HS.fi".
  35. ^ Rebello, Anthony. "Pride". Smile Me A River. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  36. ^ Savage, Dan. "Did Anyone Make it to the Straight Pride Parade Today?". The Stranger. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  37. ^ Gilligan, Brad. "One is the loneliest number at Seattle's first ever "Heterosexual Pride" parade". Seattle Gay Scene. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  38. ^ Fraser, Elizabeth. "New Brunswick village removes 'straight pride' flag amid backlash "Heterosexual Pride" parade". Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  39. ^ a b c d Valine, Kevin; Rowland, Marijke; Holland, John (August 24, 2019). "Modesto protesters outnumber straight pride supporters at tense but peaceful rally". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  40. ^ Valine, Kevin (August 9, 2019). "Modesto denies Straight Pride rally at Graceada. Organizer says event will go on". Modesto Bee. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  41. ^ Valine, Kevine. "Modesto Centre Plaza is out for straight pride, but organizers say rally still on". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  42. ^ a b c Avery, Daniel (August 27, 2019). ""Straight Pride" rally in California draws 20 attendees, 200 counter-protestors". Newsweek. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  43. ^ a b c d e Garrison, Joey (August 29, 2019). "Straight Pride Parade a 'perversion': Boston plans draws outrage". USA Today. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  44. ^ a b Hilliard, John; Wu, Sarah; MacQuarrie, Brian; Ortiz, Aimee (31 August 2019). "Counterprotesters rally at City Hall as Straight Pride Parade kicks off in Copley". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  45. ^ Grant, Melissa Gira (2019-09-04). "When the State Enforces "Straight Pride"". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  46. ^ Garrison, Joey. "Boston's Straight Pride Parade draws hundreds of marchers and even more counter protesters". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  47. ^ Patrice, Jenna (30 August 2019). "Straight Pride Organizer Is Against Civil Rights Protections". witlessX. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  48. ^ Aviles, Gwen (July 2, 2019). "FBI investigates 'glitter bombing' of Straight Pride Parade organizers". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  49. ^ "Michelle Wu questions police tactics at 'Straight Pride Parade'". Boston.com. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  50. ^ Biegel, Stuart (2010). The right to be out: sexual orientation and gender identity in America's public schools. Minneapolis, Minn.: University of Minnesota Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-8166-7457-2.
  51. ^ "Chambers v. Babbitt, 145 F. Supp. 2d 1068 (District of Minn. 2001)". First Amendment Schools: Speech. First Amendment Center. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  52. ^ >http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/12/chicago-high-school-uses-straight-pride-shirts-rights-education/ Chicago High School Uses 'Straight Pride' Shirts for Rights Education By Joseph Bland Fox News November 12, 2010
  53. ^ a b c http://www.iog.unc.edu/pubs/electronicversions/pg/pgspsm06/article2.pdf Schools’ Legal Obligations to Gay Students by Laurie L. Mesibov Popular Government Spring/Summer 2006 [dead link‍]
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