Straight Pride Parade in California next month? Council member says group behind it advocates 'hate crime stuff'

While it appears a controversial Straight Pride Parade is on track to take place Aug. 31 in Boston, another Straight Pride Parade might be coming to Modesto, California, next month.

But just don't ask council member Kristi Ah You to attend.

"I don't think we need to give a permit for anything that when you go to the [group's Internet] page it talks about whiteness, it talks about western civilization, it talks about being Caucasian," Ah You told KOVR-TV. "That's all hate crime stuff to me; that's not OK."

Image source: KOVR-TV video screenshot

The flyer calling attention to the parade reads, "Join us to celebrate: Heterosexuality, Masculinity ~ Femininity, Babies — Born and Unborn, Western Civilization, Our Wonderful Country, Christianity. Celebrate Life!"

Image source: KOVR-TV video screenshot

The city of Modesto is considering awarding a permit for a Straight Pride march after the group behind it — the National Straight Pride Coalition — submitted an application to the event Aug. 24 in Graceada Park, the station said.

And it's been eliciting a lot of attention.

"We've been getting letters, emails, comments, and phone calls all day about it," Ah You added to KOVR.

What did a National Straight Pride Coalition representative have to say?

Don Grundmann of the National Straight Pride Coalition is organizing the event and told the station it's a cultural answer to their opponents — that is "anyone that supports the LGBTQ lifestyle."

"Essentially it boils down to two religious views of the world," Grundmann told KOVR. "One is Christianity, which is represented by heterosexuality, a culture of life, and its opponent is the LGBT movement, which is represented by an opposing religion and an opposing view of life."

The station added that when Grundmann was told that some in the LGBTQ community consider themselves Christians, he responded that "there is no such thing as an LGBT Christian who stays LGBT."

Hoping for a small turnout

While Ah You supports free speech, she told the station that the permit request isn't acceptable — and is hoping the event doesn't draw much attention.

"I think if we ignored it and let the people do whatever they're going to do, I think maybe four or five people would show up," Ah You, who represents District 3, noted to KOVR.

As for Grundmann, he told the station he'd like to see straight pride marches across America — and that a core group of supporters in Modesto are prepared to take part in the parade next month if the city approves it.