An Idaho bar has chosen to counter LGBTQ Pride Month by celebrating “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” in June, saying that without them, “none of us would be here.”
Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, just outside Boise, announced last Wednesday that every Monday would be “Straight Male Monday.”
Every man who is dressed ‘as a straight man’ is entitled to a free draft beer, according to A Facebook post from the bar.
In a subsequent comment, the bar also said it was seeking candidates to assess whether male customers who come in on Mondays are dressed appropriately — who get $15 an hour plus a free beer.
Not only that, but any straight couple who enters the bar on Wednesdays will receive a 15 percent discount on their bill.
The Old State Saloon from outside, where straight men and women can get discounts on their bills during LGBTQ pride month
The Facebook post received a mix of reactions, with some claiming the bar is bigoted towards LGBTQ people, while others praised the bar owners for doing something “so bold.”
Jenna Nash commented under the bar’s post, challenging the idea of ”Straight Male Monday.”
‘Every day is straight day. They are not a marginalized group, they are the norm. I don’t care if you are happy that you are straight, but I will point out your heterosexuality [sic] during gay pride month is an insult, causes disapproval and creates division and discord,” she wrote.
Others raised the possibility that any man who decided to come to Old State Saloon on Monday might have been in the closet.
“Whoever wrote this post is so deep in the closet they’re having adventures in Narnia with Liberace and Mercury,” one person wrote.
‘It’s a free country. But tell us more about all those men on Monday. Getting drunk…maybe a little curious…maybe a little experimental…” wrote another.
There were also many comments from people claiming to be from the LGBTQ community who said they had no problem with this.
Mark Fitzpatrick, owner of the Old State Saloon, poses in front of the bar. He describes himself as “a Christian, conservative, constitutional supporter, retired police officer and family man.”
The Facebook post received a mix of reactions, with some claiming the bar is bigoted towards LGBTQ people, while others praised the bar owners for doing something “so bold.”
‘I’m a gay guy and I love this. I am an ally of the often stigmatized straight man. I’m also grateful for my heterosexual parents who made my life possible,” one user wrote.
Old State Saloon said they received comments containing expletives and swear words using the gentleman’s name in vain, which resulted in about 25 people being banned.
The Idaho StatesmanBoise newspaper, published a column Friday mocking the controversial local watering hole and calling out its owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, for disrespecting Pride Month.
‘How exactly does a customer dress as a straight man? Wearing one of those “The Only Thing I Like More Than Beer Is Twins” shirts? Or the one that says, ‘Cool Babe, now go make me a sandwich?’ columnist Michael Deeds wrote.
Fitzpatrick describes himself as “a Christian, conservative, constitutional supporter, retired police officer and family man.” Zillow listing agent profile.
Fitzpatrick, pictured, claimed that Michael Deeds, the writer of the Idaho Statesman piece criticizing the Old State Saloon, did not contact him for a quote or interview
In response to the Idaho Statesman piece, Fitzpatrick said Deeds did not “have the courage‘ to contact him for an interview.
The bar also posted again on Saturday saying it wouldn’t be going back.
‘We hear that a lot of people are angry about Deerosexual Awesomeness Month! Please know: 1) We love our LGBTQ+ customers! 2) We will not change our minds and give in to the group of those who respond with vitriol. 3) EVERYONE is welcome to come and celebrate heterosexuality with us in June!’ the mail read.
The post added that the bar would have happy hour prices for straight women all day on Thursday, and that commemorative T-shirts for straight women would be coming soon.