Modesto, California city officials on Friday denied an application by the National Straight Pride Coalition shutting down the event that was set for Aug. 24.
Don Grundmann, a chiropractor and leader of the National Straight Pride Coalition who planed the anti-gay, racist event estimated that 500 people would attend said his group supports heterosexuality, Christianity and white contributions to Western civilization.
Opponents argued the rally would promote hatred of LGBTQ people and minorities.
Chris Holland, who planned to stage a counterprotest with other Modesto residents, said it’s important for people to recognize the National Straight Pride Coalition as “a thinly veiled hate organization.”
“They are dressing up their homophobic agenda as a celebration, which mocks everything that pride is about,” he said.
City spokesman Thomas Reeves says the permit request was denied over safety concerns, because the group lost its liability insurance and the parks department determined the event wasn’t consistent with park use.
Earlier in the week at a city council meeting Grundmann, tried to make a case for holding the event and made a gaffe so bad that the entire audience broke out laughing.
“We’re a peaceful group, we wanted to have a meeting, celebration of life. We’re attacked as racists,” Grundmann said. Then he declared, “We’re a totally peaceful racist group!”
And that’s all she wrote.
That video clip was a hoot, when he misspoke and made his final comment… then the audience broke out in laughter. I loved it and posted it. I couldn’t help myself…lol Thank you for covering this and the follow up that the permit was denied them. I am so happy. You are correct, Will, that’s all she wrote……LMAO Thank you so much!!
H.