Latest news with #HeteroAwesomeFest
NBC News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
LGBTQ musician goes viral after playing protest song at ‘Hetero Awesome Fest' in Idaho
An LGBTQ musician managed to get a spot on stage at the 'Hetero Awesome Fest' in Boise, Idaho, last weekend, where he put on what he called his 'battle jacket' — which has an upside down American flag on one arm and a rainbow Pride heart on the other — and his tan beret from serving four years as an Army ranger and then played a song in protest about a transgender boy. His performance, which was live-streamed both by the festival and by a local journalist, went viral across social media this week. Daniel Hamrick, a Boise-based musician who performs at Renaissance festivals and with his band, Buzzbomb 7 Eleven, said his goal was to reach children and young adults in religious or conservative families who have to hide who they are for their own safety. 'I believe that anyone who's out has a responsibility to be gay and loud for the people who have to be gay and quiet,' he said in an interview with NBC News. Mark Fitzpatrick, owner of the Old State Saloon, a bar and restaurant in a suburb of Boise, announced the event in April as an alternative and a response to LGBTQ Pride Month, which is recognized annually in June. He said at the time that the event would be a celebration of 'traditional family values' and was inspired by the restaurant's inaugural 'Heterosexual Awesomeness Month ' held last year. The two-day event took place over the weekend in Cecil D. Andrus Park, directly across the street from the Capitol, and featured live music, conservative and far-right speakers and local food and drink vendors. The event's budget was about $85,000 and a few dozen people attended, according to KTVB, an NBC affiliate in Boise. Hamrick said he reached out to the event's organizers shortly after it was announced and coordinated with them over the last two months so he could perform. He said he never lied about who he was or what his intentions were in any of his phone calls or emails. 'I never straight up said, 'I want to play music in support of your message,' but I was like, 'Oh, I'm so excited. I'm so enthusiastic about doing this,' which I was,' Hamrick said, adding that at one point, there was a long silence from the organizers, and he assumed they had Googled him and found his social media, where he posts about politics and has a profile dedicated to his Renaissance festival persona. But then one day, he received an email with administrative information for musicians, 'And I was like, 'Oh, great, I'm in.'' Hamrick arrived at the festival Saturday wearing a short-sleeved button-up shirt and a baseball hat. Once on stage, he asked if there were any veterans in the crowd and put on his tan beret because he said, 'it was important that I opened with, 'I am a veteran. I fought for this country.' I believe in the country that America claims to be, even if it isn't that.'' Then he removed his button-up shirt to reveal a Canyon County Pride cropped T-shirt. He put on his 'battle jacket' and began to play the song, which is called 'Boy.' 'They put him in dresses to keep him in line; they say it's a phase and it's all in his mind. They put him in ballet; he wants to play ball. What matters to him doesn't matter at all. The boy that everyone thought was a girl,' Hamrick sang. Other lyrics in the song included, 'It's not just aesthetics; it's down to his heart. They're breaking his will, and he's breaking apart,' and later in the song, 'Let teacher take a glance, what's in your underpants,' a reference to the surge in state laws that regulate which sports teams trans youth can play on at school and which bathrooms they are allowed to use. Nearly three minutes into the song, one of the festival organizers pulled Hamrick's mic off the stage, and then security escorted him off as he continued to play his guitar and finished the song without a mic, according to a video posted by the Boise Blackbirds Instagram account, which is run by a local independent journalist and activist. Hamrick said he wrote the song last year. He is bisexual and not transgender, but he said he has many loved ones who are trans. 'The song is for everyone who listens to it and feels heard and seen and maybe just a little less alone,' he said, adding that it's for people who might be in conservative, religious communities who don't have a community they can trust. 'Know that your pastor or your parents or your Boy Scout troop leader isn't this insurmountable, unquestionable force of nature, but that if you have to hide right now, then that's what you have to do,' Hamrick said. 'You have to survive. But once you are out of that, there is a community that is ready to take you in and love you and support you.' Fitzpatrick, the festival's organizer, described Hamrick's actions as a 'pathetic and evil act' in an email to NBC News. 'Our festival is a fortress for traditional family values: faith, freedom, truth, and the sanctity of what makes us human,' Fitzpatrick said. 'He lied to us to get a chance to play on stage in front of our guests, children included, stating his act would honor that. When he got on stage, he threw on part of a military uniform dishonoring the Army, and unleashed a song glorifying transgender ideology. It was a vile anthem pushing the lie that boys can be girls and girls can be boys. So I yanked his mic and told him to leave.' He said the festival was still a 'bigger success than I ever dreamed.' He said he spent about $40,000 personally and is 'getting millions in publicity against the Left wing PRIDE nutjobs.' As for Hamrick, he said Buzzbomb 7 Eleven is working on recording 'Boy' and another song so that they can release it publicly. Some of his supporters have called him a 'hero,' but Hamrick said he's very uncomfortable with that. 'If it inspired a lot of people to get involved, that's a wonderful role for me to have,' he said. 'I'm so happy that I get to play that part, but it is just a small part. If you want to send love, send it to your organizers. Send it to the people who are putting together protests, who are doing food drives for unhoused people. There are people who are on the ground, working every day to try to make life more livable for queer people in this country.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
A ‘Hetero Awesome Fest' was an absolute flop. Good
Idaho's Hetero Awesome Fest turned out to be a dud. Videos, social media posts and news reports showed at most 'dozens' of people in attendance. There were more people at President Trump's lame military parade last week. Maybe the festival had such low turnout because people realize they don't need a special occasion to celebrate heterosexuality. Every day is Hetero Awesome Day. Every month is Hetero Pride Month. They have every benefit and right. Just look around. Movies, television shows, books and commercials celebrate heterosexuality all the time. Magazine ads and stores ooze heterosexual images and messages. Churches preach about the values of 'traditional' marriage and families all the time. No, we don't need a special Hetero Awesome Fest. Our society still celebrates it every day in ways big and small. But for some folks, like the organizers of the Hetero Awesomeness Fest, it's a zero-sum game. They irrationally feel threatened by any recognition or support of LGBTQ+ people and their continuous quest for civil rights. They think the world is falling into moral decay if they see a movie or TV show with gay characters. They want to defund public television over gay cartoon characters and shut down library districts that have books with LGBTQ+ characters. They get triggered by a rainbow display at a department store or a flag. Their heads explode when a transgender woman drinks a beer. They send nasty messages to companies that post on social media supporting Pride Month, recognizing that their businesses perform better when their employees — all of their employees — can be their true selves at work, and feel protected and valued. National anti-gay movement Idaho's Hetero Awesome Fest, no matter its pathetic turnout, is part of a larger, national movement. In the past couple of years, the anti-LGBTQ+ crowd has crawled out from the darkness, feeling as if they've been given permission once again to spew anti-LGBTQ rhetoric — well, at least on social media. According to a new Gallup poll, Republican support for same-sex marriage as a legal right has dropped 14 percentage points in just the past three years, since 2022. The percentage of Republicans who support same-sex marriage has fallen from 55% to 41%, well below the national average of 68% and well below the percentage of Democrats (88%) and independent voters (78%). At the same time, the percentage of Republicans who say same-sex relationships are morally acceptable has fallen from 56% in 2022 to 38% in 2025. This really is an anti-gay movement. 'Like-minded people' The organizers of this weekend's Hetero Awesome Fest pretended that their message was just a celebration of heterosexuality, or 'God's design for sexuality,' but all they talk about is how wicked and evil they think the 'gay agenda' and 'Pride movement' are. They want to boycott businesses that support Pride and pressure companies to change their business practices. In a podcast interview recorded live at the Hetero Awesome Fest, festival organizer and Old State Saloon owner Mark Fitzpatrick said that his business draws 'like-minded people.' To show what kind of like-minded people come together, podcast host Dave Reilly said 'there are still very good bars, good food, there's the Basque district, again, it's clean,' and then he whispered into the microphone, 'there aren't any Black people here.' The company you keep. Maybe that's why no one showed up over the weekend at Cecil Andrus Park. It's easy to just spew hate and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric online; actually showing up in person in the name of hate is more difficult. And that's the key difference between Hetero Fest and Pride Fest. Pride isn't about being anti-hetero. It's about loving and celebrating who you are, and not at the expense or degradation of another group. As a heterosexual man, I've never been called a slur when kissing my wife in public or holding her hand while walking down the street. I've never been afraid to put a photo of my family on my desk at work. I've never had to conceal the identity of my spouse during a job interview for fear of being discriminated against. I've never been beaten up or killed because of my sexuality. But gay and transgender people still face this discrimination today. That's why we still need Pride Month. That's why we never need a Hetero Awesome Festival.
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Old State Saloon Celebrates 2nd Annual Heterosexual Awesomeness Month with Special Drinks, Events, and Hetero Awesome Fest
EAGLE, Idaho, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Old State Saloon is thrilled to announce its 2nd Annual Heterosexual Awesomeness Month, a month-long celebration of heterosexuality throughout June 2025. Following the resounding success of last year's inaugural event, owner Mark Fitzpatrick is carrying forward the tradition to honor 'God's design for sexuality.' As Fitzpatrick proudly states, 'If it weren't for heteros, none of us would be here, and we're here to celebrate that truth with good drinks, great people, and a whole lot of fun.' Throughout June, Old State Saloon will offer a lineup of special drinks celebrating heterosexuality, including the Brojito, Baby Maker Mimosa, Tetten Russian, and Alpha Mule. The month will feature themed days to keep the party going: Special events include Hetero Merch Parties with exclusive discounts, a June 7th International Procreation Day Celebration, and a June 14th President Trump Huuuge Heterosexual Birthday Party. The saloon will host internet influencers, sports personalities, and media figures throughout the month, with more details to be announced. In a groundbreaking expansion, Old State Saloon is partnering with the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc. to present the first-ever Hetero Awesome Fest on June 20-21, 2025, at Cecil D. Andrus Park in downtown Boise, directly across from the Idaho State Capitol building. This two-day festival will feature live music, massive free Kids Zone food trucks, ice-cold beer, bold wines, and speeches from prominent voices defending traditional family values. Booths from family-owned businesses and like-minded supporters will showcase their offerings, creating a vibrant celebration of faith, family, and freedom. The event is described as 'a celebration of family values with guts,' aiming to honor God's design and stand firm against anti-family cultural trends. Hetero Awesome Fest is still seeking sponsors and has vendor booth space availability for businesses eager to align with the event's mission and reach a passionate audience. Interested parties can check out: or contact [email protected] for details on sponsorship packages and vendor opportunities. 'All are welcome to join us at Old State Saloon and Hetero Awesome Fest to celebrate heterosexuality—unless you're acting like an idiot,' Fitzpatrick says with a grin. 'This is about coming together, having a good time, and standing up for what's right.' Old State Saloon and Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc. invite everyone to join the celebration, enjoy the festivities, and support a movement that champions traditional values. Stay tuned for updates on special guests and additional events at and About Old State Saloon Located in Eagle, Idaho, Old State Saloon serves as a community gathering place, recognized for its emphasis on traditional values and vibrant atmosphere. Owned by Mark Fitzpatrick, the saloon hosts events and offerings that highlight themes of faith, family, and freedom. About Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc. Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to uphold and promote traditional family values. Through events like Hetero Awesome Fest, the organization aims to rally supporters and counter cultural narratives that are detrimental to the core of society. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Old State Saloon
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Idaho bar to host 'Hetero Awesome Fest' during Pride Month
The owner of a bar in Idaho has announced his plans for a "Hetero Awesome Fest" this June to counter LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Sign up for the to keep up with what's new in LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment — delivered three times a week straight (well…) to your inbox! The Old State Saloon bar is in Eagle, a suburb of Idaho's capital city, Boise. Its owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, announced a new event called "Hetero Awesome Fest" to take place this June with the goal to "address concerns about cultural trends influenced by liberal progressivism," per NBC News. Last year, the Old State Saloon announced its "inaugural Heterosexual Awesomeness Month," which included "Hetero Male Mondays." These events promised that "any heterosexual male dressed like a heterosexual male will receive a free draft beer." Wednesdays also became "Heterosexual Couples Day," where heterosexual couples received 15 percent off their bill, per a previous NBC News story. Fitzpatrick has told local news stations that Heterosexual Awesomeness Month was a response to Pride Month "getting so extreme." He specifically mentioned "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." Fitzpatrick also told NBC that he hasn't ever actually been to Boise during a Pride event. Now, Fitzpatrick's plans have grown. This year's Hetero Awesome Fest has been scheduled for "two action packed days," June 20 and 21, in Cecil D. Andrus Park (named for a Democratic Idaho governor). Overall, the festival will feature music from bands "that share our vision," food and drinks, vendors, and speakers "who are on the front lines defending traditional family values," according to the event's social media pages. "This festival is more than just an event; it's a declaration that faith, family, and freedom are worth protecting," the video says. "The Hetero Awesome Fest and Heterosexual Awesomeness Month aim to celebrate the traditional family unit and address concerns about cultural trends influenced by liberal progressivism," Fitzpatrick, who has owned the bar for two years, wrote in an email. "Our event is not about targeting any group but about raising awareness of practices we find troubling, such as the encouragement of 'gender transitions' among children or their exposure to inappropriate content." Fitzpatrick has also announced that he launched a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, called Heterosexual Awesomeness, "to celebrate traditional family values and combat the woke mind virus." "What if we celebrated God's design for sexuality? What would that look like? And within a few minutes, I had thought, 'Man, heterosexuality is awesome,'" Fitzpatrick says in a video posted to Instagram. The bar's official Instagram page also features videos talking about "detransitioners," as well as many clips of people promoting debunked conspiracy theories, including "Pizzagate," discourse about the 9/11 attacks, and even content arguing that the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel were "False Flag" events. This story is still developing…
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
These Tweets About A "Straight Pride" Festival In Idaho Are So, So, So Funny
Pride month is JUST around the corner! That means, we're on the cusp of the usual "Why don't we have a straight month?" nonsense. Last year, a restaurant in Idaho "celebrated" their own "Heterosexual Awesomeness Month," and this year they're doing "Hetero Awesome Fest." For real. @mattxiv posted about it and the replies are honestly so funny. Related: 9 Gay Movies And TV Shows That Are So Criminally Underrated, I Guarantee You've Never Seen Any Of Them Before People are sharing photos of the attractions that will most likely be there. They're comparing it the "Old Navy $1 flip flop sale." And they're calling it "the worst name I've ever heard for something." Related: Marjorie Taylor Greene Showed My Photo In A DOGE Hearing And Called Me A Monster. Here's Why I'm Fighting Back. "This has gotta be the cringiest thing I've ever heard of," one person said. "See, that title is why straight people don't have their own month," another person chimed in. And this person said the name in and of itself sounds "so unbelievably gay." Anyway, if you need a good laugh, here are more comments: And lastly: Also in LGBT: Today's News Shows Why We Can't Engage With The "Harry Potter" TV Show
