Captain America actor Chris Evans took to Twitter to blast the idea of a Straight Pride Parade scheduled to take place in Boston later this year.
Evans took to Twitter after he got word that three men from Boston requested a permit for a Straight Pride Parade.
Evans accused the organizers of being gay and at the same time homophobic. He wrote:
“Wow! Cool initiative, fellas!! Just a thought, instead of ‘Straight Pride’ parade, how about this: The ‘desperately trying to bury our own gay thoughts by being homophobic because no one taught us how to access our emotions as children’ parade? Whatta ya think? Too on the nose??”
Wow! Cool initiative, fellas!! Just a thought, instead of ‘Straight Pride’ parade, how about this: The ‘desperately trying to bury our own gay thoughts by being homophobic because no one taught us how to access our emotions as children’ parade? Whatta ya think? Too on the nose?? https://t.co/gaBWtq2PaL
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 5, 2019
Evans would not stop there. He also took issue with those making comparisons for the desire to have a straight pride parade with those who wish to have gay pride parades.
He re-tweeted a post by James Fell, a straight person, who wrote about why gay pride is a thing. Evans offered some advice to his followers, “Instead of going immediately to anger(which is actually just fear of what you don’t understand)take a moment to search for empathy and growth.”
Wow, the number gay/straight pride parade false equivalencies are disappointing. For those who don’t understand the difference, see below. Instead of going immediately to anger(which is actually just fear of what you don’t understand)take a moment to search for empathy and growth https://t.co/e98K0Z150T
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 5, 2019
Evans comments were criticized by a number of gay individuals. They took offense that Evans used the old trope that people who are homophobic are closeted homosexuals. Some pointed out that the idea of the trope leads people to blame other gay people. While another user pointed out that it hurts those who are yet ready to admit their own sexuality:
Chris…no. Please don’t blame homophobia on people being secretly gay. This is a worn out old trope and it essentially blames gay people for our own problems. Love you, but no.
— Louisa 🌈👭 (@LouisatheLast) June 5, 2019
sis while i appreciate what you’re tryna do here, this absolutely ain’t the take
— Official Danielle Brooks in Much Ado Stan Account (@KevGoshdarn) June 5, 2019
I love you, but equating homophobia with closeted gayness is harmful to actual LGBT people who can’t or aren’t ready to come out, and it’s not an effective way of naming truth to power. You’re such a great ally in general, it’s upsetting to see you use your platform this way.
— nathan (@bedwyrssong) June 5, 2019
One of the Straight Pride Parade organizers Army Veteran Mark Sahady announced the parade will most likely take place on August 31st.
The Washington Post reports that organizer John Hugo told them that the keynote speaker for the parade would be “a very famous gay conservative.” The Post also reports that Hugo wants the LGBT acronym to add an “S” for “straight.”
Hugo told them, “We want tolerance, and we tolerance for everybody — not just the LGBTQ community.”
Evans is no stranger to controversial subjects on Twitter. Evans has openly mocked and attacked Republican officials. Earlier this year Evans compared South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to The Simpsons character Waylon Smithers, a closeted homosexual on the show.
Evans has also described Vice President Mike Pence as a “worm.” And has been open about his disdain for President Donald Trump.
However, the actor seemed to have been toning down his more aggressive takes and had announced he was launching a website where people could hear from both sides of the political aisle on a variety of issues. Evans even found himself in the middle of a social media barrage when he made the announcement about the website.
What do you make of Evans’ comments? Is he on point or is he completely off the mark?