13 Reasons Why We Don’t have ‘Straight Pride’
Less than a month since we wrote about the devastating massacre in Orlando, this week I was shocked to see the following hashtag trending on Twitter:
#HeterosexualPrideDay.
Discussing it with my friend Laura, we were appalled. Angry. Sick. I don’t know where it originated from, or why it came about. Whether it was genuine, or whether it was a joke. Quite frankly, I don’t care.
The fact that it was there proves the point that ignorance still exists, and that (Gay) Pride is still a joke to some. It proves why we still need (Gay) Pride, and why there will never be a “Straight Pride”:
1) Straight people don’t need to check who’s around before they kiss their partners.
2) You don’t have to consider whether to tick “straight” on a form as you might have more chance of getting the job that way.*
3) Straight people don’t have to awkwardly correct people when you say partner and they assume it’s someone of the opposite sex.*
4) Straight people can go to any country for a holiday.
5) Staight people have never been stoned to death or pushed off a building as punishment for being straight.*
6) Straight people don’t have to worry about walking into gay bars, unlike gay people in straight bars.
7) No religious book says straight people are an abomination.*
8) Straight people aren’t token characters in films or books.
9) Straight couples don’t sit in the “no same-sex stag/hen parties” section when it comes to booking holidays (it happens, trust me).
10) You don’t hear kids saying something is “so straight”.*
11) Straight people have never had to fight for marriage.*
12) Straight people don’t need to check whether the area in which they want to live is “gay friendly”.
13) It’s never, ever, been illegal for straight people love someone.*
*Contributed by the lovely Laura from Papa, Eden, and Me.
Yup, I agree with this. I’m shocked that in this day and age people think that hashtag is acceptable. I’m delighted that our local city will have a Pride next year. I’ll be taking my girls because they’ll love the music, dancing and colours and because I want them to understand the Pride movement.
Nat.x
That’s wonderful to hear – I hope you all have a lovely time.
I was shocked as well. Certainly didn’t get the joke! X
I don’t think you need the apology/disclaimer at the end! I can’t see offence being caused.
I popped on to Twitter yesterday and saw this was trending, I was so furious I promptly popped off again. The points you both make, the map and the quote are just perfect. Great response to a frankly ridiculous concept (I assume it was a very bad joke rather than the product of someone’s actual sensible brain)… X
Thank you, lovely. I just didn’t want it to sound like I’m bashing people.
That’s what I was like yesterday. I couldn’t believe it.
Just because some people messed it up for everyone else. With a mockery someone’s orientation/religion that caused an outrage.
One person/group doesn’t speak for the rest.
You can go down the list of why you feel straight people are wrong but we are not IT is also a way of life and should not be told we don’t have the same rights to anything as someone else.
You have no idea what we have to go through either.
You go against freedom of existing and what you are trying to do when you say we can’t celebrate because of something you feel.
I don’t say you can’t have a pride day and let you live your life don’t tell me I can’t that makes no sense and that in itself and is backwards bully thinking that will hold everyone down.
I’m not saying I support the above movement the above statement is an opinion and should be taken as such.
Stephanie, did you even read the post?
Also, straight people don’t go through *anything* the same way LGBTQ people do. Never are you persecuted because you identify as straight. Go take your fragility elsewhere.
Your apology is completely unnecessary. Such a ridiculous day and I am so glad you wrote this. I’m glad we don’t need a straight day but I’m also glad that there’s Pride – it’s an awesome celebration! x
I wish the World was just accepting of all.
Wow, I hadn’t seen the hashtag but what nonsense – “Whooooo! We’re the default! We can go through life without giving the matter any thought!” Why on earth would that need a celebration?!
(I did laugh at your map, though – very deadpan)