Idaho’s Anti-Pride “Hetero Awesome Fest” Ends in Scandal, Fights, and Low Turnout

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An Idaho event dubbed “Hetero Awesome Fest” wrapped up in chaos over the weekend, drawing headlines for all the wrong reasons: low attendance, an on-stage altercation, and a racism scandal involving one of its speakers.

Held in Cecil D. Andrus Park in downtown Boise across June 20 and 21, organiser Mark Fitzpatrick billed the gathering as a celebration of “traditional gender norms and heterosexual awesomeness” — an intended alternative to LGBTQ+ Pride events. The event’s promotional material promised that it “ain’t your limp-wristed woke fest,” but in reality, it failed to draw more than 30 to 50 attendees across both days, according to KTVB.

Straight pride events have long been associated with dismal turnouts. A 2019 California event drew just 20 attendees compared to 200 LGBTQ+ supporters. Another in Texas attracted just three participants.

Musician Pulled Off Stage for Pro-Trans Song

A major flashpoint during the Boise festival came when local musician Daniel Hamrick, initially invited to perform, took the stage wearing a rainbow-patched jacket and a crop top that read “Keep Canyon County Queer.” His performance of “Boy,” a song about the experiences of a young trans boy, was abruptly cut off when organiser Fitzpatrick stormed the stage and forcibly removed him.

A brief scuffle ensued when another man mistakenly believed Fitzpatrick was a protester trying to disrupt the event. Security eventually escorted Hamrick and his group from the premises.

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Fitzpatrick defended his actions, saying Hamrick’s lyrics contradicted the event’s values. “This is yet another example of lies and deceptions from the Pride community,” he told KTVB. “It’s pathetic and evil.”

Podcaster’s Racist Remarks Draw Backlash

Another controversy emerged when Dave Reilly, co-host of the far-right podcast The Backlash, made racist remarks during the event. In an online clip, Reilly praised Boise for being “clean” and lacking Black residents.

Facing criticism, Fitzpatrick distanced himself from Reilly’s comments but admitted he allowed the podcaster to attend without prior vetting. “He has to be responsible for what he says,” Fitzpatrick said, rejecting any link between Reilly’s views and his own.

Reilly later doubled down, stating: “Diversity is a weakness, not a strength. The LGBTQIA+ movement is Satanic. Straight white people are welcome and wanted in Idaho.”

This is not the first time a so-called “straight pride” event has been linked to white nationalist rhetoric. Organisers of similar events in the past have openly admitted ties to racist ideologies.

While “Hetero Awesome Fest” aimed to challenge Pride Month, it ultimately reinforced the narrative of intolerance and failure that has plagued similar efforts.

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