BOISE, Idaho — A minor confrontation broke out at the controversial “Hetero Awesome Fest” on Saturday when a protester took the stage and began singing a pro-LGBTQ+ song before being removed.
According to several livestreams of the event, including those from Old Street Saloon, the incident occurred during the two-day festival held on June 20-21 in Cecil D. Andrus Park, directly across from the Idaho State Capitol. Mark Fitzpatrick, owner of the Old State Saloon and organizer of the event, rushed the stage and took the microphone from the man after about a minute of singing.
Well, to answer your other comment, it’s replies like this that made me realize it’s just not worth trying to have a discussion with the folks who disagree with me, because I won’t change their mind, and they won’t change mine. I think you (and the majority of folks replying here) are not considering the simple fact that taking away spaces occupied by people you dislike will not make them go away - it’ll just make them try to take over your spaces, instead (hence the Nazi bar analogy).
Regardless, I’m not going to engage any further here. If you want to have a rational discussion, you can DM me and I’ll happily discuss it with you. I had my say, everyone else had theirs, and I don’t really think there’s anything more that needs to be said.
It used to be acceptable to wear Nazi attire in public, now it’s not. I can see where you’re coming from stating that people are going to do what they want, it reminds me of my feelings towards certain drugs being illegal. However I’ll stand by my argument that we need to speak up against bigotry and hatred, not prop it up or defend it. I think it’s important that not only are these people allowed to organize and gather, but that we actively oppose them and create a hostile environment for them.
I’m not going to DM you because you’ve already shared the fact that you’re unwilling to change your mind. I wonder what your childhood self would say if you shared that you were that closed minded, and brazenly open about the fact that not even facts and logic could convince you to change. As much as I believe in what I say, I won’t say that no one can change my mind. I implore you to look inward and be better my guy.
I didn’t say I was unwilling to change my mind; I said that it became clear that it wasn’t going to be changed by the people replying. If you want to debate it, my DMs are open, but leave the ad hominem attacks out of it or it’ll be a very short discussion.
You said your mind won’t be changed. Using your own words against you doesn’t amount to an ad hominem. I’m not going to let you gaslight me into a private discussion despite your insistence; you can be public with your discussion, or you can stop replying, but I’m not taking the bait and playing your game.