By Jill Richardson
Some brave hetero activists are attempting to organize a “Straight Pride Parade” in Boston.
Oh just kidding — did I say brave activists? I meant people with neo-Nazi ties. That’s right: According to ThinkProgress, the organizers of the “straight pride parade” have ties to numerous far-right groups, and have often embraced violent language on social media.
Especially after neo-Nazis invaded Detroit Pride celebrations, this stunt feels like no joke.
That said, here are the circumstances under which I would support a straight pride parade:
When straight people are raised in a world in which straightness is erased, nobody even told them it’s possible to love somebody of the opposite gender, and they grew up confused about their feelings.
When all of the books, movies, TV, music, and lived experience they’re exposed to provide no hint that straightness exists. If they mention straightness at all, they say it’s weird, disgusting, sinful, a mental illness, or even a crime.
When straight teens are worried about coming out as straight to their school, or taking their straight date to the school dance, or dressing in a way that feels authentic to them because might they face social rejection or violence.
When straight people grow up assuming nobody is straight, so they find alternate explanations for their straight feelings (“I guess I just admire him”), or they bury those feelings so deep they can’t even find them, and then they try to feel something, anything, for people of a gender they aren’t attracted to.
When straight people date and even marry someone from a gender they aren’t attracted to. When they believe that doing so is the only way to be normal, or to be moral, or to fulfill their family’s and their faith’s expectations of them. When they sincerely believe they’re going to hell for being straight.
When straight people have to introduce their significant others as their “roommates,” and wonder if it’s safe to hold hands or kiss their significant others in public.
When straight people have to fight for the right to get married, or to hold a job. When straight people face a deadly disease epidemic and the government and pharmaceutical companies do nothing for years, because they’re straight.
When religious zealots blame natural disasters on the straights.When straight people have to look up the laws in countries they plan to travel to, to find out if it’s legal to be straight or safe to go there. When some countries put people to death for being straight.
When straight people are disowned by their parents for being straight.
When political candidates run on a platform of opposing straightness and then work to deny straight people legal rights, or to legally allow discrimination against heterosexuals on religious grounds.
When straight people have to live in that world and still figure out who they are, and fight for their rights to live and love as straight people, then I think they should have a parade — not when some neo-Nazis are spoiling for attention.
Straight pride is already well-represented in everything from children’s books to rom-coms to music videos. They should be glad they don’t need a parade.
Jill Richardson is the author of “Recipe for America: Why Our Food System Is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It.” She is a columnist for OtherWords.org See her previous column, “Sorry, I Can’t Give Trump a Chance.”
Rainbow strong says
Well said, Jill. Thank you!
Traveling Rep says
Is Jill aware of the fact that Mylo Yiannopolis is heading up this event?
Flaglergal says
Well, isn’t this the typical blueprint for tolerance and acceptance. Sarcasm, in case you missed it. Apparently anyone who marched is a neo nazi in the writers opinion. I say, those who seek to stop, criticizing others, are unable to handle the truth. They need to degrade others, mock and ridicule others, this makes you feel righteous. However, you aren’t right, we all have opinions and we all have the right. Because people, who are no different than the ones mentioned, march it’s for themselves.
Kate Stubbs says
Pride parades? Straight parades? I cooked a great pork roast last night, should I get a parade??? I swear this world is so out of hand. It’s man & woman…your born what you are, and you should be with the opposite sex unless you choose to remain single. If being a gay is something natural and right, then why have people fought over it for so long to make it acceptable…only for it STILL to be so controversial for YEARS AND YEARS….and it’s never been truly accepted? Curious as to know why? Because it’s WRONG, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!! The right way in life manifests itself after a while, and this people, is not the correct way. The majority of mankind have an instilled sense between right and wrong, and while you can choose to turn away from that, and so many do to convince themselves that there own desires are correct..doesn’t make it so. I am ashamed I have to raise my kids in such a world where marriage, and the way it was meant to be is under attack and loose morals just abound…but we will stick to what we believe. Not preaching hate and I don’t hate the LGBT community or it’s people, as that’s terrible in itself, we have to be kind to everyone, but that DOES NOT mean condoning something that is so wrong and goes against the laws of nature.
FlaglerRedo says
I think there’s Common Ground here that most of us can agree on. Come on Straight people….there is nothing that’s more “gay” than a parade.
Richard says
The only parades I cater to are the Rose Bowl and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. When living in Hollywood I would vacate the city when the Gay Rights Parade or the Halloween Parade was on. Too many wierdo’s.
Nancy N says
Well, Kate, why have people of color and women had to fight for equality for so long if they are created equal to white men? Because patriarchy and bigotry, Kate.
That homosexuality that you declare is “against the laws of nature” is actually a well-studied phenomenon that occurs in many species, not just humans. So “nature” didn’t get the memo about that “law”. And although homosexuality was a well-known thing in society at the time of Jesus, there’s no mention of it in his teachings – but there IS mention of loving your neighbor and not judging others. Maybe you ought to check that part out some time.
StateRoad100 says
Well written article. I’m curious to see the response.
It’s true. It should no longer be a fight. But alas, it is. The rights of people not in the majority in our communities will likely always be. I fear that it’s just part of being human. I’m thankful that people are still fighting. It’s one of the things that makes America so great. People can fight for rights that those in the majority believe exist for all people.
It’s hard to believe that we are just a few generations away from slavery and, less than that for women’s rights. Many of our parents will have known people who’s grandparents were slaves and who’s grandmothers could not vote. It’ seems so far away and yet – it is not. The battle for rights is ever existing for all.
I grew up in a church that taught women to be quiet as Paul stated, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak… And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home.” 1 Timothy 2:13-15. I’m thankful that many fought against that one and I regret…they still are.
Globally, women’s rights are still hard fought. Its shocking that in 2019, the UN Millennium Development Goals still set specific targets to reduce poverty, increase education, work, and representation for women. In our own community any person can see that women who are already marginalized because of their race, income, or location have fewer opportunities. I
The argument against these rights is just as stated above.,,it’s just wrong. One day, I hope – no, I know – the fight will succeed. So, my gay friends march on!
Sherry says
WOW! Kate. . . sending you lots of joy, peace and love. Sounds like you could really, really use some self awareness. How very sad for you!
A Girl Has No Name says
Perfectly said Nancy! And Kate, I’ll pray for you ;)
Agkistrodon says
So good to k now that someone ELSE, knows better than I, what I want or need. If the writer was a male, they would be called an arrogant egotistical male. Next time I “need” to know what I need or want, maybe I should just call Jill and let HER make MY decisions for me. Boy if I did that for say the LGBTQII community, they would cry “FOUL”.
Kate Stubbs says
Nancy N, that’s funny seeing as I found several scriptures on it :D Maybe you should open your bible? 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “9 Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, 10 thieves, greedy people,+ drunkards,+ revilers,* and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.+ 11 And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean;+ you have been sanctified;+ you have been declared righteous+ in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God. Here’s another if that one wasn’t clear enough for you…Leviticus 20:13 “‘If a man lies down with a male the same as one lies down with a woman, both of them have done a detestable thing.+ They should be put to death without fail. Their own blood is upon them.”…..any question as to how God feels about being gay? anything left to the imagination when it comes to how he puts it?? no? I think not :) So before you tell me to look up something, you may want to brush up on your biblical skills :)
Karmen Dayhuff says
Agreed!