A plan to hold a "straight pride" march in Boston, Massachusetts, has generated intense debate on Twitter as social media users question the benefits of heterosexual Pride events.
Super Happy Fun America, a group with the motto "it's great to be straight", has applied to Boston City Council to hold a Pride event for straight people.
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John Hugo, the Republican candidate for the state's 5th Congressional District in the 2018 midterm election, is a key figure behind the event. Hugo is quoted as saying: "Straight people are an oppressed majority.
"We will fight for the right of straights everywhere to express pride in themselves without fear of judgment and hate.
"One day straights will be able to celebrate their lifestyle like everyone else. What better way to educate and foster unity than by having a parade!"
The movement for a straight Pride has been met with criticism and mockery across social media.
Author Craig Rozniecki wrote on Twitter: "Everyday is a Straight Pride Parade... heterosexuals parade privilege across the country/world... members of the LGBT community have continually fought and sacrificed for what they take for granted."
Author James Fell tweeted: "I'm straight. I like being straight. A big reason why I like being straight is that I've never once experienced bigotry for my sexuality. There is nothing I ever had to fight for... because I'm straight. And therefore, there isn't any reason to take pride in it.
"It's not a "Straight Pride Parade." It should be called a "I'm a homphobic piece of sh*t parade."
Alternatively, some people have chipped in defending the movement. "I'm gay and I'm ok with a straight pride parade," said one user.
"Don't be hypocrites. So much for being a tolerant and accepting community."
Super Happy Fun America hopes the Boston Straight Pride Parade will take place in August. The City of Boston has so far rejected the group's application for a straight pride flag ceremony at the City Hall, which was planned to conclude the parade.
The application for the parade itself is still pending approval, according to their website. Organisers are encouraging supporters to "contact the Mayor's office...and demand an end to discrimination. We also deserve a parade!"
Super Happy Fun America have posted an image calling for 'LGBTQ' to change to 'LGBTQS' ("straights") to make it "more inclusive". The image features "MAGA", a reference to US President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign.
Newshub.
