Hetero Awesome Fest
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| Venue | Cecil D. Andrus Park |
|---|---|
| Location | Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
| Budget | US$85,000 |
| Organised by | Mark Fitzpatrick[1] |
| Participants | Dozens |
The Heterosexual Awesomeness Festival,[2] or Hetero Awesome Fest,[3] was a two-day straight pride event held in Boise, Idaho, in June 2025.[4][5][6] The festival was held at Cecil D. Andrus Park.[7] It had a budget of $85,000.[8] Dozens of people attended.
Background and organization
[edit]The festival was organized by Mark Fitzpatrick, who has also organized Heterosexual Awesomeness Month and started the 501(c)(3) organization Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc.[9][10] According to The Hill, Fiztpatrick was "inspired to create the June events when he and his family were discussing how to spend his daughter's birthday last year. He said they could not go to downtown Boise, where Pride events were held."[11][12] The festival's website said, "This ain't your limp-wristed woke fest; it's a full-on celebration of family values with guts. [We're] throwing down to honor God's design and obliterate the anti-family noise."[13]
Event
[edit]Dozens of people attended the festival.[14][15] During the event, singer-songwriter Daniel Hamrick[16] (also known as Archer Flynn)[17] tricked organizers by performing an "unapologetic pro-trans anthem", according to Instinct.[18][19] He sang "Boy", which has been described as "a haunting piece about a trans child enduring forced conformity and societal cruelty". He wore a T-shirt with the text "Keep Canyon County Queer" and a jacket with rainbow patches.[20] Fitzpatrick removed the singer from the stage.[21][22] Star Observer called the song the highlight of the festival.[23]
Reception
[edit]Ahead of the event, Out said the concept "seems ridiculous and laughable".[24] A counter event was organized by the local LGBTQ community.[25] Lavender farm Red Chair Lavender, host of an annual lavender harvest festival, canceled the festival's sponsorship by the business operated by the festival's organizer after a racist comment was made at the event.[26][27] One op-ed writer for the Idaho Statesman called the event "an absolute bust".[28]
References
[edit]- ^ "Boise straight pride event reflects ideas considered 'extremist'".
- ^ Villarreal, Daniel. "Bigots fight as pro-LGBTQ+ singer hijacks "Heterosexual Awesomeness" festival". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ Adamczeski, Ryan (2025-06-24). "'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Idaho concludes with fighting, low attendance, and racism scandal". The Advocate. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Riedel, Samantha (2025-06-23). "A Boise Bar's "Hetero Awesome Fest" Was a Straight-Up Flop". Them. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Organizer responds to racist comment at 'Hetero Awesome Festival'". Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI). 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ Perry, Sophie (2025-05-01). "'Hetero Awesome Fest' set to take place in Pride month gets roasted online". PinkNews. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "'Hetero Awesome Fest' planned for Idaho capitol during LGBTQ Pride Month". NBC News. 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "'It's not about Black people. It's about liberalism': Hetero Awesome Fest organizer on racist comments". ktvb.com. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Inside one NW man's war on Pride: 'I love you... You're going to Hell'". The Oregonian. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Idaho bar to host 'Hetero Awesome Fest' during Pride Month". Out. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/5273814-hetero-awesome-fest-idaho-capitol-boise-pride-month/
- ^ "'Hetero Awesome Fest' planned for Idaho Capitol during Pride Month". ktvb.com. 2025-04-26. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ Villarreal, Daniel. "Anti-LGBTQ+ bar owner plans "Heterosexual Awesomeness" festival during Pride Month". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Dozens attend 'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Idaho". ktvb.com. 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Sparse crowds, stage disruption at 'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Boise". QSaltLake Magazine. 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "LGBTQ musician goes viral after playing protest song at 'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Idaho". NBC News. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ "Musician disrupts sparsely attended "Straight Pride" event with pro-trans performance". Scene Magazine. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Boise Draws Crickets, Not Crowds". Instinct Magazine. 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Billson, Chantelle (2025-06-25). "Man infiltrates 'Hetero Awesome Fest' and trolls attendees with pro-trans song". PinkNews. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Boise 'Straight Pride' Fest Flops And Get Hijacked by Queer Song". Hotspots Magazine. 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ Mulabazi, Ljeonida (2025-06-23). ""More porta potties than people": Idaho man throws "Hetero Awesome Fest," draws dozens". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Watch: 'Hetero Awesome Fest' trolled by a pro-LGBTQ+ singer". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ^ Jupp, Lydia (2025-06-26). "Pro-Trans Protest Song Highlight Of "Hetero Awesome Fest"". Star Observer. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ^ "May 9, 2025". www.out.com. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ "Boise's first Hetero Awesome Fest met with LGBTQ+ satire". Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI). 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Red Chair Lavender cut ties with Old State Saloon after racist comment at bar's Hetero Awesome Fest". Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls (KIVI). 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ WHITE, EMILY (2025-06-27). "Event organizer responds to racist remark at Hetero Awesome Fest". Idaho Press. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from-the-opinion-editor/article309244330.html
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