Tiny Idaho community embroiled in bitter fight over region’s first ever Pride festival – as out-of-town organizer says the ‘gays are here!’
Residents of a small town in Idaho fought to stop their first Pride festival, but the LGBTQ organizer emerged victorious when he declared that “gays are here!”
Real estate agent Tom Wheeler, 27, expected no opposition when he planned Canyon County’s family-friendly celebration of diversity and inclusion on June 9.
But two weeks before the festival, Mayor Debbie Kling released a statement claiming the event “does not reflect the personal beliefs and beliefs of myself, the Nampa City Council and many who live in Nampa.”
She said that although she had received requests to cancel the event, she was advised to go ahead because of the First Amendment.
Furious locals joined with national far-right groups to protest the celebration The Washington Postforcing Wheeler to hire security and build protective fencing around the park.
Real estate agent Tom Wheeler, 27, planned the family-friendly event in Canyon County for June 9, but was met with fierce opposition from locals
Wheeler (pictured center) met with local police, hired a private security team and installed security cameras in his home
After the mayor’s statement, Wheeler reportedly received a threatening phone call.
A man said he knew where he lived and told him, “My family has lived here since 1901. This is God’s country. You’re not welcome here.’
When a local news station shared information about the event, it quickly received 2,500 responses promising that God would punish Wheeler in hell.
Meanwhile, a local bar announced they were simultaneously hosting a ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month’ with special drink deals for straight men and couples.
Despite the online hate from right-wing groups and the hostile environment in the city, Wheeler refused to be deterred.
He met with local police, hired a private security team and installed security cameras in his home.
On the day of the festival – while his mother urged him to wear a bulletproof vest – he opted to wear a bright pink T-shirt and a cowboy hat.
He danced and waved his rainbow fan as he announced to the crowd, “It’s official, the gays are here, Canyon County!”.
As thousands of people flocked to the park to celebrate, a small crowd of armed protesters from the right-wing group The Liberty Dogs gathered outside.
Mayor Debbie Kling denounced the event, saying it “does not reflect the personal beliefs and convictions of myself, the Nampa City Council and many who live in Nampa.”
After the mayor’s statement, Wheeler (center) reportedly received a threatening phone call.
As thousands of people flocked to the park to celebrate, a small crowd of armed protesters from the right-wing group The Liberty Dogs gathered outside.
One of them blew a whistle, while another shook the barricades.
Local police told them to keep their distance and they left by mid-afternoon.
The event was a huge success, with even a Conservative councilor admitting to Wheeler that it was “family friendly,” according to The Post.
The protests in Canyon County are part of a national trend in which pride events across the country have been increasingly targeted by extreme groups in recent years.
Armed militias have violently protested drag queen story times and someone even firebombed a donut shop after two drag queens appeared there.