It’s perhaps little surprise that some right-wing nuts were unable to enjoy a national holiday without finding a reason to rag on gay people. During Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade, the cast of Kinky Boots totally ruined turkey day for many conservative viewers who worried their children, sitting down in front of the television to see a giant Snoopy balloon, would be scarred for life by the sight of men in drag dancing through the streets of Manhattan.
While many viewers were rightly entertained by the high-heeled performance from Broadway’s award-winning musical by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein about a struggling straight-laced shoe factory owner’s partnership with a bright drag queen who helps him turn his business around, others took to Twitter to protest.
WorldNetDaily, a site that we recommend you don’t visit if you suffer from high blood pressure, posted some of the more choice tweets from their narrow-minded readers. One wrote: “Kinky Boots was a odd selection for the thanksgiving day parade. Maybe next year, we’ll see Rocky Horror Picture Show on the parade route.” [Editor’s note: Great idea! Or maybe we’ll get a number from Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig!]
Fierstein, never one to hold back his opinion, came to the defense of the department chain store by releasing a statement to Broadway World, that read: “I’m so proud that the cast of Kinky Boots brought their message of tolerance and acceptance to America’s parade. Ten years ago I was humbled to ride a float dressed as Mrs. Claus and it was the thrill of a lifetime. Congratulations to Macy’s, on leading the world, not only with your salesmanship, but also your humanity.”
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And scene.
Dakotahgeo
I don’t think there’s anything more harmful to the conservative knuckle draggers kids than their own parents. Children and pets… BEWARE! RUN!!
hephaestion
Well we knew some conservatives would get outraged over drag queens being in America’s favorite holiday parade. What amazes me is how MOST Americans of all sorts just accepted Kinky Boots being in the parade and were not outraged. THAT is the bigger news.
Richjr42
Screw the fundies! That was adorable. Besides,Stark Sands in thigh high hose and heels is kinda sexy.
KDub
I’m not conservative at all, but I definitely think a drag performance is rather inappropriate for family events geared towards kids, which the Macy’s parade always has been. This belongs in an after hours spot, not at the Macy’s parade.
Sohobod
@kDud
Grow up.
AuntieChrist
When Kinky Boots came on I could hear the collective pearl clutch across the nation, beads breaking, mothers fainting…Welcome to the 21st century bitches…It’s not the kids it’s their stupid parents…Fortunately I have friends with kids and they ALL loved it…@KDub: You are coming off as conservative…Kids are a lot smarter and more advanced these days…Well some of them are.
Cyn
That was really mild. What could possibly be the problem?
Homophile
@Richjr42:
I have a total fetish for butch muscle guys in high heels, stockings and garters.
TheNewEnergyDude
Goodness…it must be just awful to be an always uptight, stick up your butt, always angry and repressed conservative. I’m by no means partisan, but they’re upset about this??? Jesus Christ. I can’t wait until the extreme conservatives just die out. They are so holding our country back. Bless Mr. Fierstein, who, in spite of being “never one to hold back his opinion”, responded very eloquently. I wish I could be as such. I would more go a Kathy Griffin route, and say those conservatives can “suck it”.
avesraggiana
Heck, even Matt Lauer loved them! What could possibly be wrong harmful or wrong about “Kinky Boots”?!
DickGreenleaf
Stark first did drag in “Die Mommie Die”. And he also did rear nudity in the same film. Nice tush.
http://www.vipgalleries.net/stark-sands-nude/stark-sands-nude_06.jpg
http://gallery.superherofan.net/S/Stark-Sands/DIE_MOMMIE_DIE-05.jpg
Rockery
It was harmless
@Sohobod:
LOL “kDud”
jckfmsincty
How will these people ever accept having gay children? Tea Baggers, it’s going to happen. It’s just a numbers’ game.
jwtraveler
The greatest danger to the children of these conservatives is their own parents, not just from their repressive values, but due to the fact that children are most likely to be abused, injured and molested by their own families. The danger within is always greater than the danger from outside.
Geoff B
Absolutely it was inappropriate. Next year they should do a nice religous number from Book of Mormon to atone.
Cam
Oh, THEY were angry.
Here’s a thought. TV and movies that have been neutering gays and hiding gays because some viewers may get angry make ME angry.
Those “Outraged” viewers can go fuck themselves. The world is moving past them just like it moved past the KKK and other bigoted groups.
massprince
Im gay and drag shows are boring and so 90’s.
ronmon
Really? Everyone that called in said “I’m a conservative and hate fags?” This article is just as hate filled with no verification of anything. Stop believing everything you read….
Ms Urethra Johnson
DUH, black and drag. It’s a double teaser…
krystalkleer
but they have ZERO problem with scantilly clad models in underwear strut’n down a runway dur’n “family hour” television…BITE ME BIBLE BELT!
http://getoffmydress.blogspot.com/2013/12/as-eyelash-curls.html
Danmansexy
Well…you can’t say Macy’s is backing down! http://i.imgur.com/OLGjxsI.jpg