Inclusive' LGBT group bans gay Trump supporters from Pride parade

Charlotte Pride, an LGBT rights advocacy organization in North Carolina and South Carolina, boasts on its website about being "inclusive," but at the very same time, it recently banned a group from participating in its annual Pride parade because of their political beliefs.

Brian Talbert, co-founder of the website, "DeplorablePride.org" received a letter recently from Charlotte Pride saying that his group couldn't participate in the Charlotte Pride parade, which is scheduled for late August, WJZY-TV reported.

The rejection letter from Charlotte Pride said that it "reserves the right to decline participation at our events to groups or organizations which do not reflect the mission, vision, and values of our organization, as is acknowledged in our parade rules and regulations by all groups at the time of their parade application."

"Charlotte Pride envisions a world in which LGBTQ people are affirmed, respected and included in the full social and civic life of their local communities, free from fear of any discrimination, rejection, and prejudice. Charlotte Pride invites all individuals, groups, organizations and causes which share our values to join our community's celebration of the LGBTQ community, history, arts and culture during the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, Aug. 26-27, 2017," the letter said.

But according to Charlotte Pride's website, one of its "values" is "inclusivity," which presumably would extend to political views.

"Charlotte Pride values the contributions of all people and mindfully works to include a wide range of life experiences, perspectives and beliefs in all of our programs and activities," Charlotte Pride declared on its website.

Image source: CharlottePride.org

Talbert told WJZY-TV that Deplorable Pride wanted to take part in the parade "to show that we weren't the racist bigot, misogynistic..."

"We wanted to show that we are Americans, love our country and our president. We wanted to be there to celebrate gay pride. Everything fell into place except being able to celebrate who I am," Talbert said.

He added that he doesn't regret voting for Trump, and that he will do it again, if given the chance. Talbert said that he shouldn't be "vilified, just because of who he voted for.

"For a group of people to claim to want tolerance, acceptance, and give it to every single person you can imagine to give it to — for them to sit back and judge me for exercising my right as an American to choose my leader without judgment is hypocritical," Talbert said.

"I don't judge them for how they vote. I believe men and women died to give us that right to choose our own leader. They don't extend the same courtesy to me being a gay Republican," Talbert said.

Charlotte Pride did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheBlaze.

June is Gay Pride Month. Many members of the LGBT community criticized the Trump administration for not publicly recognizing it as such, as former President Barack Obama did. But Trump does have a history of being open to people of all stripes and backgrounds.

The New York Times reported in April 2016 that Trump was believed to be the first private club owner in Palm Beach, Florida, to admit an openly gay couple. Trump owns Mar-a-Lago, which he frequently visited during the first few months of his presidency, in Palm Beach.

Trump further stated that if Caitlyn Jenner were to walk into Trump Tower in New York City, he wouldn't care which restroom she uses.

Further, Gregory Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, a group that supports gay rights, hailed Trump as "the most gay-friendly Republican nominee for president ever," according to the Times.

Editor's note: This story previously identified Brian Talbert as the leader of Gays for Trump. Talbert is the co-founder of DeplorablePride, a group that consists of gay Trump supporters. TheBlaze's Doc Thompson spoke with Peter Boykin, president of Gays for Trump, on "The Morning Blaze" Friday. You can listen to Boykin's interview below.