The Old State Saloon in Idaho will provide free beer to heterosexual males on “Hetero Male Mondays”.
New Holiday Creates Controversy
As LGTBQ+ people and allies kick off Pride Month this June, a bar in Idaho has created their own holiday in response.
History of Pride Month
First celebrated as the 1-year commemoration of the Stonewall riots in New York City, Pride Month supports the LGBTQ+ community with parades, marches, protests, and more.
Going Viral
Just outside of Boise, the Old State Saloon released a Facebook post that quickly went viral.
Hetero Male Mondays
They announced, “Each Monday will be Hetero Male Monday and any heterosexual male dressed like a heterosexual male will receive a free draft beer”.
Offers for Heterosexual Couples
Continuing, “Each Wednesday is Heterosexual couples day and each heterosexual couple will receive 15% off their bill”.
The Owner’s Motivation
The owner of the bar, Mark Fitzpatrick, has not been quiet about his motive for creating his own “holiday”. He has said he knew “all this stuff was coming” and wanted to fight back.
“I Can’t” Celebrate Pride
Fitzpatrick recently told KTVB, “But with my beliefs, I love people, but as far as being a biblical Christian, to celebrate it, I can’t do that.”
Further Opposition
Believing that the LGBTQ+ movement has been “getting so extreme” and that “the imagery that you see all month with parades and getting to the point of nakedness and things with people walking down the street, I can’t get behind that”.
Biblical “Justification”
Fitzpatrick continued, “I’m always going to side with what God says. If the Bible says that it’s a sin to act out in homosexuality, then I’m going to agree with what the Bible says. That doesn’t mean I don’t love homosexuals, and that doesn’t mean I don’t love people.”
With “Love” But Not Support
Continuing, “But just because you love somebody, doesn’t mean you’re going to jump behind them and support them in every single decision they make in life. It’s not a requirement”.
Fitzpatrick’s Claims
Fitzpatrick continues to double down, saying that his “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” is based on love, not hate.
Both Support and Controversy
While many of the LGBTQ+ community would disagree with his statement on love, the Old State Saloon has gained support from all over the nation.
Good for Business
In response to their announcement, they sold out of food on Thursday.
“Beers for Breeders”
Taking it one step further, the Old State Saloon created merchandise to sell online, offering shirts that say “Beers for Breeders” and another that has the traditional gender symbols and a black and white American flag.
Hateful Rhetoric
After receiving backlash from the LGBTQ+ community, Fitzpatrick posted a picture of a small child throwing up a rainbow, stating, “protect the children”.
Fueling Unfounded Panic
This is a loaded statement that has fueled panic that the LGBTQ+ community is a danger to children, which has been used against them, unfounded, for decades.
No Regrets
Fitzpatrick said that while he has received some criticism online, he does not regret his statements or his new bar deals.
Engaging in Conversation
“I’m a business owner; I want people to come in here, but I also truly love it when people come in here and engage in conversation with each other, learn something about each other”.
Same, Same but Different
He continued, “And they get to talk like this to each other, and at the end of it, they realize we’re probably not as far apart as we think we are”.
Increased Hostility
The LGBTQ+ community has received intensified hostility this year, especially before the upcoming presidential election. While he is encouraging conversation, the LGBTQ+ community would likely not enter an establishment where they would feel so unsafe.
Intent vs. Impact
While Fitzpatrick has refused to comment on the dangers that the community faces from extremists, his “heterosexual awesomeness month” says enough.
21 Beliefs About the Bible That Are Actually False
The Bible is one of the most discussed and debated books in history, yet many common beliefs about it are more myth than fact. How many of these misconceptions have you heard before? 21 Beliefs About the Bible That Are Actually False
21 Subtle Racisms That Are Commonplace in America
Racism in America isn’t always overt; it often hides in plain sight through subtle actions and attitudes. How many of these subtle racisms have you noticed around you? 21 Subtle Racisms That Are Commonplace in America
Only Legal in America: 21 Things You CAN’T Do in the Rest of the World
The U.S. dances to its own beat, especially when it comes to laws that make the rest of the world do a double-take. Here’s a lineup of things that scream “Only in America,” sticking strictly to what’s written in the law books. Ready for a tour through the American legal landscape that’ll leave you wondering if freedom might just be a bit too free? Only Legal in America: 21 Things You CAN’T Do in the Rest of the World
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Chris Owens.
