The City of Boston has approved a permit for organizers to host a “Straight Pride” parade which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31. Organizers announced Wednesday that they had successfully secured the public events permit, further stating that their event, which is officially called “Super Happy Fun America,” is a celebration of “being straight” but is not an “anti-gay” parade.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said earlier this month, “Permits to host a public event are granted based on operational feasibility, not based on values or endorsements of beliefs. The City of Boston cannot deny a permit based on an organization’s values.”
Super Happy Fun America president John Hugo said, “We don’t hate anyone. We just want to have our own celebration just like everybody else has a right to. All people from all communities are welcome so long as they show mutual respect.”
The grand marshal of the parade is set to be controversial political commentator, Milo Yiannopoulos, who is openly gay. Yiannopoulos said in a statement about the parade earlier this month, “I might technically be a sequined and perfectly coiffed friend of Dorothy’s, but I’ve spent my entire career advocating for the rights of America’s most brutally repressed identity — straight people — so I know a thing or two about discrimination … Men, bring your most toxic selves. Women, prepare to burn your briefcases! Because it’s great to be straight, and we’re not apologizing for it anymore. We’re Here, Not Queer”
Super Happy Fun America attracted attention in early June when they used images of actor Brad Pitt as their mascot until Pitt insisted that they stop. The planning of the parade has attracted the ire of several LGBT groups and protests are expected the day of the parade.
