An Idaho bar has launched a fundraiser to support itself over its recently announced plan for the month of June, which the bar designated as “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month.”
The Old State Saloon unveiled its designation on May 29, with the bar announcing a multitude of deals throughout June for straight people. Since this announcement, the bar has received pushback from people within its community, including a new a-frame sidewalk sign stolen from the owners, which cost around $250.
Mark Fitzpatrick, the owner of the bar, also told the Washington Examiner that the bar has had a bakery cancel on them due to how “a large number of queer employees don’t feel welcome or safe” at the Old Stool Saloon.
“We are by no means destitute for money!” Fitzpatrick told the Washington Examiner. “The Lord always provides. We’ve had so many people reach out and ask to ‘buy a round of drinks’ or ‘donate to the cause’ So, I figured, hey, if the world wants to help us by financing the construction of a building we use for these types of purposes, let’s do it!.”
The fundraiser states that it intends to use the money raised for further editions to the bar, including a parking lot and a larger indoor space.
The bar’s “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” is a contrast to many retailers’ choice to celebrate Pride Month throughout the month of June on an annual basis. As part of the bar’s newly designated month, it announced that all straight men will receive a free pint of beer every Monday in June, straight couples will receive 15% off on Wednesdays, and straight women can enjoy happy hour prices all day on Thursdays.
The newly designated month has so far proven to be a big success for the bar, as it announced on social media that it had its largest Monday sales on June 3. The bar has also shared social media posts of people visiting it in support, including one couple who drove 400 miles to pay the bar a visit.
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Ahead of June, Walmart unveiled its “Pride Always” collection, which consists of various LGBT-themed merchandise, including clothes, hats, school supplies, and pool floats. Some of the items available for purchase can only be bought online, while other items are being made available both online and in stores.
Target, Walmart’s rival, previously announced that it planned to scale back its LGBT products this year to mostly online sales. Target told the Washington Examiner that the collection “has been curated based on guest insights and consumer research.”
