California Town Says No To 'Straight Pride Parade' Permit

'Straight Pride' organizer Don Grundmann

The Northern California city of Modesto has said "no permit for you" to the organizers of a so-called 'Straight Pride Parade" event that was planned for August 24.

The National Straight Pride Coalition had hoped to hold their event at Graceada Park.

Organizers say they expected some 500 attendees to show up at their event that was to celebrate "heterosexuality, Christianity and white contributions to Western civilization."

Sounds like white supremacy to me, but, hey, I just report the news...

Dozens of citizens showed up at a recent city council meeting opposing the rally saying it would promote animosity towards LGBTQ people and minorities.

At that meeting, one of the organizers for the event, Don Grundmann, drew big laughs when he told the city council he was the leader of "a totally peaceful, racist group." 

He later claimed it was a slip of the tongue, but you know how truth has a way of coming out.

According to ABC News, city spokesman Thomas Reeves says the permit request was denied over safety concerns because the group lost its liability insurance and the parks department determined the event wasn't consistent with park use.

As a compromise, the city did say it would allow the rally to be held at a downtown plaza should the 'Straight Pride' group get its insurance requirements in place by Tuesday.

'Straight Pride' Organizer: We Are A "Totally Peaceful, Racist Group"

Don Grundmann (screen capture)

In the end, the truth will out itself.

While addressing the city council of Modesto, California, Don Grundmann, one of the organizer’s of a proposed ‘Straight Pride’ parade, told the councilors he is a leader of “a totally peaceful, racist group.”

The room instantly burst into laughter at the blunder.

Watch below.

Grundmann tried to correct his comment, but the slip had those in attendance laughing so hard he couldn’t be heard over the hysteria.

He is the co-founder of the National Straight Pride Coalition with local resident Mylinda Mason.

I recently reported on Mason’s adopted son, Matthew, who is openly gay and speaking out against the event and his own mother.

Matthew told NBC News that he was home-schooled by his mother from kindergarten to 12th grade and was "raised to toe her party line.”

“Any sort of ideological deviation from her philosophy was grounds for punishment, so I quickly learned that I had to say what she wanted me to say and do what she wanted me to do — until I became an adult and I was free and then I lived in my own truth, so that’s what I'm doing,” Matthew told NBC News.

The 28-year-old says his mother would bring him to anti-LGBTQ protests outside the annual LGBTQ prom in Hayward, California.

When NBC News spoke to the mother, she blamed her son’s homosexuality for their poor relationship.

"Homosexuals, in general, pull away from family and friends at some point,” she said, calling it “very typical.”

The Modesto News reports more than a hundred locals showed up to address the city council about the upcoming event.

Gay Son Of 'Straight Pride' Organizer Puts The Hate Rally On Blast

In addition to the upcoming 'Straight Pride Parade' in Boston on August 31, homophobic folks on the other side of the country in California are attempting to hold their own faux 'Pride' event.

Working under the name “National Straight Pride Coalition,” the organizers say they plan to “celebrate heterosexuality, masculinity-femininity, babies-born and unborn, Western civilization, our wonderful country, Christianity.”

These kinds of events are generally viewed as mocking the annual LGBTQ Pride events held across the country.

Organizers have applied for a permit to hold their 'Straight Pride' rally on August 24th in Modesto's Graceada Park.

But the gay son of one of the organizers told the Modesto Bee he will ask City Council members to not issue the permit for the event.

Matthew Mason is the adopted and estranged son of one of the organizers of the event. He told the Modesto Bee, “We don’t want hate in Modesto. I am making sure Modesto is not a place for hate speech.”

“They believe Western Civilization should be straight, white and Christian with a very specific gender binary," explained Matthew. "They believe this should be a culture war. It’s rhetoric I’ve heard my whole life."

The 28-year-old adds that he has no problem with people celebrating 'straight pride' in earnest. But adds,  "You don’t have to say that means (LGBTQ+ community members) are deviants. You can be Christians, but you don’t have to dictate that people in the LGBTQ+ community are not Christians. You can celebrate Western Civilization without saying, ‘West is best.’”

Matthew is currently planning a candlelight vigil to protest the 'Straight Pride' event. He also plans on addressing the Modesto City Council to urge it not to allow the event “because it has the potential for violence.”

Matthew’s biological mother, Kristi Ah You, is a Modesto City Council member. She told the local CBS News affiliate that the city will probably not grant a permit to the event because the event would constitute hate speech.

PayPal Shuts Down 'Straight Pride Parade' Account

Super Happy Fun America VP Mark Sahady (image via Facebook)

More bad news for the organizers of the so-called ‘Straight Pride Parade’ scheduled to happen in Boston on August 31.

In an entry on the group’s website, Super Happy Fun America (SHFA), organizer Mark Sahady shares that PayPal has “permanently limited” their account. This apparently means the group can’t collect any more donations via the popular online money transfer service.

Sahady shares a letter from PayPal which says the SHFA website violates PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy.

The letter goes on to say SHFA can still withdraw whatever funds are in their account, but the organizers are to “remove all references to PayPal” from their site.

Sahady spins this as - you guessed it - intolerant ’heterophobia.’

As I've previously reported, numerous corporations have refused to do business or be associated with the group.

Netflix, TripAdvisor, Bank of America and many more have sent cease-and-desist letters to SHFA for using their logos on the ‘Straight Pride Parade’ website.

In his blog post, Sahady tries to take credit for a recent drop in Netflix’s stock saying, “Thanks to all our fans who canceled their accounts in protest at the intolerance for our Straight Pride movement.”

In reality, the drop in stock price at Netflix occurred after reporting second-quarter earnings which missed target numbers. It was the first-ever drop in global growth.

All of that took place between April and June - before Netflix sent its cease and desist letter.

In other words - liars.

Several observers, including Fox News pundit Jesse Watters, have questioned the intentions of the group asking if they are just “trying to be provocative” as a response to LGBTQ Pride Month.

In fact, the organizers of the Boston march have been shown to have ties to violent extremist groups like the Proud Boys, whose chairman is scheduled to speak at the event.

NowThis has compiled this report exposing the wild, exaggerated claims by the organizers.

Podcast: Ricky Martin, Pete Buttigieg, Best Films Of 2010s, Lil Nas X

In this week's podcast:

• Mayor Pete Buttigieg did an interview with a country music radio show, but the radio network refused to air the interview. Link to Blair Garner's interview here.

• Pop star Ricky Martin has joined hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans in protests calling for the resignation of the island territory’s governor

• Organizers of the upcoming Straight Pride Parade got more cease and desist letters after illegally insinuating major corporations were sponsors

• Oscar-winning queer-themed film, Moonlight, was named the best film of the 2010 decade by Indiewire.

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

Funny: TripAdvisor Shades 'Straight Pride' Using Gay Anthem Song Titles

Earlier this week, I reported on streaming giant Netflix sending a cease-and-desist letter to the organizer's of the upcoming 'Straight Pride Parade' scheduled in Boston next month.

The homophobic organizer's used several corporations logos without permission in an effort to appear that they were "in negotiations" with the companies for sponsorship.

Nope, they weren't.

Netflix got sassy with a sentence in the letter reading, “You should know that we’re unafraid of bullies. Our legal department is here, it’s queer, and it’s telling you to steer clear.”

Well, now TripAdvisor got wind of the homophobes using their logo, and they ain't having it either.

Check out the letter TripAdvisor sent the organizers using the titles of several LGBT anthem song titles. You'll note the capitalized words:

Dear Mr. Hugo,

I am writing on behalf of TripAdvisor LLC concerning Super Fun Happy America’s unauthorized use of TripAdvisor’s logo, as displayed on your website [snip]. I’m Coming Out and saying this clearly: you are infringing upon TripAdvisor’s intellectual property rights. Further, your statement that you are “in negotiations” with TripAdvisor as a “potential sponsor” is completely false.

To be precise, your use of the TripAdvisor trademark and our Beautiful logo infringes TripAdvisor’s trademark and trade name rights. TripAdvisor’s trademarks are protected in many countries around the world and Over The Rainbow, including in the United States under Registration Nos. 2727627, 3171193, 4612678, and 445774. We have become a well-known brand for our reviews of hotels, restaurants, experiences and even the occasional YMCA, but we weren’t Born This Way - we obtained that recognition through significant advertising and promotion since as early as 2000. As a result of the breadth of the services it provides and its widespread renown, TripAdvisor enjoys substantial rights in its mark and name.

Contrary to your claims, TripAdvisor is not “in negotiations” with your organization for sponsorship of its “Straight Pride Parade.” Similarly, we have not authorized you to use our name or logo in any way. You Need To Calm Down - you are not sponsored by, associated or affiliated with TripAdvisor in any way, and thus, your use of our marks could confuse the public as to an affiliation with TripAdvisor. These inaccurate statements, which I trust do not show your True Colors, infringe on TripAdvisor’s rights under the Lanham Act, and impinge upon our Freedom! to decide with what organizations we want to associate our brand. Have A Little Respect and remove those statements. TripAdvisor and I Will Survive without being associated with your event.

There is nothing Vogue or acceptable about making false claims about others merely to support your own cause. If I Could Turn Back Time, I would tell you not to use our name in the first place. But now that you have, TripAdvisor demands that you remove all uses of our name, mark and logo from your website (and anywhere else you might use it) within 24 hour and not use them again. In other words, Black Me Out with an “X” on the above webpage. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) disappointment that you thought this might be an acceptable way to do business.

The travel website also tweeted, "TripAdvisor is a proud and inclusive workplace. Our lawyers are definitely the most creative defenders of diversity!" The tweet also tagged gay divas Madonna, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, and Taylor Swift.

TripAdvisor is a proud and inclusive workplace. Our lawyers are definitely the most creative defenders of diversity! #TripPride @taylorswift13 @ladygaga @Madonna @cher @xtina @DianaRoss @cyndilauper @QueenWillRock @gloriagaynor https://t.co/xOAAUNf0td

— TripAdvisor (@TripAdvisor) July 19, 2019

Podcast: Emmy Award Nominations, Bullied Teen Convicted, 'Straight Pride' Gets Smackdown, Kevin Spacey

In this week's podcast:

• The 2019 Emmy Award nominations have been announced and there’s good news for lots of LGBTQ artists

• A gay high school student in NYC has been found guilty of manslaughter after stabbing two of his bullies

• 'Straight Pride' organizers get a smackdown by Netflix's legal team

• Out rapper Lil Nas X keeps breaking records on the Billboard charts

• Charges against Kevin Spacey are dropped after his accuser invokes his 5th Amendment rights

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Netflix Orders 'Straight Pride' To Stop Using Their Logo: ‘Our Legal Dept Is Here, It’s Queer, and It’s Telling You to Steer Clear’

Organizer’s of the so-called ‘Straight Pride Parade’ scheduled for August 31 in Boston, got all butt-hurt after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from streaming giant Netflix informing them to remove their logo from the organizer’s website as a “prospective sponsor.”

The organizers, operating under the name ‘Super Happy Fun America,’ included Netflix along with dozens of other major corporations on their website.

Journalist Ford Fischer was first to tweet the letter written by Netflix to the organization informing them they were infringing on trademark and other intellectual property.

“Super Happy Fun America” - the organizers of the Boston “Straight Pride Parade” have apparently received a cease and desist letter from Netflix over apparently claiming that Netflix supports them.

The group says Netflix “is a heterophobic company steeped in hatred and bigotry.” pic.twitter.com/eIIsoTsBBd

— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 17, 2019

“You are using the Netflix logo to promote your event, which despite its name is about hate–-not pride," read the letter from Netflix's legal team. "That’s gross and deeply hurtful, but it’s also deceptive misinformation and infringes our legal rights. Netflix has nothing to do with your organization or event. Indeed, it’s telling that you feel the need to lie to gain legitimacy.”

Saying that the streaming giant is “unafraid of bullies,” Netflix closed with, “Our legal department is here, it’s queer, and it’s telling you to steer clear.”

BOOM! Suh-nap!

'Straight Pride Parade' organizers posted on their website that they had reached out to Netflix "with an offer to sponsor” their event “based on their reputation as a progressive and forward-looking company.”

The organizers added they believed that Netflix “would jump at the opportunity to become involved” in what they describe as a “young civil rights movement.”

“Sadly, we have learned that Netflix is a heterophobic company steeped in hatred and bigotry,” continued Super Happy Fun America. “They not only rejected our offer but threatened us with litigation if we did not stop using their name and logo, which is perfectly legal for editorial or informational purposes.”

“Obviously, Netflix has no qualms about using their position of power to threaten marginalized groups who are exercising their 1st Amendment rights,” added the organizers. “It appears that their legal department is staffed by gay supremacists who are so accustomed to privilege that our goal of equality for straights feels like oppression to them.”

“In fact, it is Netflix that is acting like a bully,” they wrote in conclusion. “We have every right to inform the public about our attempts to gain sponsors for our parade and their hate will not stop us.”

Speaking of hate, The Independent has previously reported that the ‘Straight Pride Parade’ organizers have been “heavily linked with far-right movements and nationalist protests.”

Netflix isn’t the only company calling the ‘Straight Pride’ folks out.

Bank of America has also reached out informing Super Happy Fun America to “remove Bank of America name and logo from all of your organization’s print and online materials.”

(image via Twitter/FordFischer)

'Straight Pride Parade' Organizers: We Were 'Terrorized' By Glitter

(stock photo: Vinicius Vilela via Pexels)

The organizers of Boston’s so-called “Straight Pride Parade” say that they were targeted with “suspicious packages in the mail” that ended up containing… Glitter!

In early June, an organization called Super Happy Fun America, which says it is “committed to creating spaces for people of all identities to embrace the vibrancy of the straight community,” announced their event.

Their mission statement declares, “We believe that true diversity is only possible when people of all sexual orientations are free to celebrate their lifestyles.”

The city of Boston approved the group’s 'Straight Pride' event application after Super Happy Fun America threatened to sue.

One of the main organizers, Samson Racioppi, told CNN he found an envelope in his mailbox on Monday.

"I went out to my mailbox and there was an envelope in there with my name and address, no return address, the back was very heavily taped up and when I shook it I heard stuff shaking around inside," Racioppi told CNN.

After calling authorities, a hazmat team evacuated his neighbors homes and closed traffic down his street.

Racioppi reached out to his co-organizers, including Mark Sahady, Vice President of Super Happy Fun America.

Sahady found a similar package at his home. He described the contents as a “sand-like substance.”

But when the envelope was examined by experts, the contents were revealed to be glitter and a hand-written note.

Glitter, folks. Glitter.

Kristen Setera, a spokesman for the FBI, told CNN the bureau does not believe the packages (of glitter) “pose a threat to public safety” but the investigation is ongoing.

Folks in the LGBTQ media have called the idea of the parade, tentatively scheduled for August 31, homophobic.

Super Happy Fun America’s president, John Hugo, dismisses the criticism saying the event is “not anti-gay but pro-straight.”

“Straight people are an oppressed majority," states on the group's official website. "We will fight for the right of straights everywhere to express pride in themselves without fear of judgement and hate."

Because the 4.5 percent of the U.S. population that is estimated to be LGBTQ are 'oppressing' the other 95 percent. Uh-huh.

Controversial homocon Milo Yiannopolous is scheduled to be the grand marshal for the event that’s predicted to draw 2,000 participants.