Sunday, June 22, 2025

'Hetero Awesome Festival' flops hard, attracting only dozens

Hetero Awesome Festival, an Idaho event created to pushback against June being designated as LGBTQ Pride Month, took place on Friday and Saturday of last week. 

According to an article in The Idaho Dispatch last month:

Hetero Awesome, a non-profit group founded by Mark Fitzpatrick, will hold a “Hetero Awesomeness Festival” at Cecil Andrus Park across from the Idaho Capitol Building this June.

. . . . Fitzpatrick told Idaho Dispatch about the event, “We’re launching the Heterosexual Awesomeness Fest 2025 at Cecil D. Andrus Park to boldly celebrate traditional family values in a nation that’s shifting politically at seemingly lightning speed. Idaho’s lawmakers just passed fierce new laws to protect our freedoms and shut down divisive, racist programs like DEI. With the Capitol building as our backdrop, we’re calling everyone to join us June 20-21 for music, food, and talks that unite us in strengthening the family unit and championing Heterosexual Awesomeness!” 

According to the Hetero Awesome website, the event will, “This ain’t your limp-wristed woke fest; it’s a full-on celebration of family values with guts. We’re bringing the heat with killer food, ice-cold beer, and bold wines, plus live music to crank the vibe. Expect riveting speeches that’ll wake the dead, booths from family-owned businesses and rock-solid supporters, all standing tall for our Battle Lines.”

So, how did the event go?  It flopped on cosmically . . . nay, Biblical proportions.

According to Latter Gay Stories, a Facebook page:

Local media, including Idaho News 6, reported that turnout was negligible, with one observer noting the festival “probably could have been an email.” Social media reactions highlighted the event’s poor naming and execution, with one commenter stating, “Look at how much of a waste of time and money hatred is.” 

 The festival struggled to secure sponsorships, raising only half the needed funds despite support from United Rentals and a headline performance by Michael Austin. Reports suggest the event was attended by fewer than 100 people. 

 In contrast, Boise’s LGBTQ+ community responded with a satirical counter-event at The Balcony Club titled “But, What About Straight Pride?” Held on June 20, the show drew significant attendance and support, underscoring the city’s embrace of inclusivity. 

The flop of Fitzpatrick’s Hetero Fest, juxtaposed with the success of the counter-event, reinforced Boise’s shifting cultural landscape, where messages of acceptance resonated more strongly than division. Queer people are part of our communities, and they always will be . . . Supporters of the Festival have now turned to social media asking for money to cover expenses including security costs—exceeding $18,000, money they expected to raise from the attendees that never showed up

 

Folks on Twitter posted snippets from the festival, eagerly pointing out its failure to draw participants:


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