Boston “Straight Pride” Overshadowed By Counter Protest
Over 1,000 counter protestors overshadowed the Boston Straight Pride parade on the weekend. With around 200 marchers, the Straight Pride parade made its way to City Hall where the crowd heard speeches from far-right political groups.
The event, organised by Super Happy Fun American, included Milo Yiannopoulos, who told the crowd, “Add the S to LGBTQ!”
Thousands of people videotaped the marchers and exchanged chants as a float with giant letters saying, “Trump built the wall” moved down the streets.
Despite denying being anti-LGBTQ, the organisation allowed several people to the mic to complain about “LGBTQ curriculums in public schools” and children being gay. People wearing MAGA hats and “How can I offend you?” shirts cheered.
Some featured speakers had ties to a far-right organisation, the Proud Boys, which has incited violence. Straight Pride’s co-organiser, Mark Sahady, was the brains behind a free speech rally in 2017 that brought a tiny group of white nationalists to Boston. He is connected to an alt-right group, Resist Marxism.
Counter-protesters were cordoned off but one man screamed: “Boston hates you!”
In the counter-protest, people drew rainbows and positive messages in chalk and danced to tunes while cheering on drag queen, Just Jp.
Thirty-six people were arrested, most counter-protesters. There were four injured officers, police said. A spokesman declined to provide a number of officers providing security.
