Don Grundmann, one of the organizers of the racist/homophobic Straight Pride event in Modesto, CA, now insists the event will move forward despite denials by the city council.
“There’s many many new plans, five at least, maybe ten” Grundmann told ">CBS. “We’re just waiting for the bureaucratic response, the bureaucratic wheels to grind, and they can grind very slowly.”
The Modesto city council denied permits for Straight Pride, scheduled to take place August 24 in a local park. Straight Pride organizers failed to secure proper insurance for the event, which led to the council denying permits. A spokesperson for the city insists that the denial of the permits had nothing to do with the group’s hate leanings. “We still have the requirement of insurance and a new location that will be more conducive to this type of event,” said spokesperson Thomas Reeves. “We are certainly not telling him or his supporters that he does not have a right to gather.”
Related: City officials block Straight Pride over safety concerns
How about we take this to the next level?
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Gundmann stayed mum when it came to the “new plans” for Straight Pride. He did, however, make a veiled threat to the city of Modesto, hinting that the event could incite violence. “The violence is all an issue because the City Council lady smeared us,” he said. “And essentially, in fishing terms, she chummed the waters for violence.”
Don Grundmann has a long history of homophobia and racism. He previously formed a group called Citizens Against Perversion designed to attack queer people, with a specfic eye toward transgender people. The group also attacked abortion rights. Earlier this month, Grundmann became something of an internet celebrity after he “accidentally” referred to Straight Pride as a “totally peaceful racist group” during a city council meeting. His words invited sarcastic applause and laughter from the room, including members of the council itself.
Rex Huskey
let them march…. dear God, why make such a big deal about all this. it they have pride in their sexuality, good for them. guess we will have that in common
PinkoOfTheGange
They need insurance.
Kanaka4127
Jeez I guess everybody’s right…you’re a d-bag.
jrr
You let them march in your city. We in Modesto want no part of this hate. We have just elected a democratic congressman, and we are slowly moving blue. That’s why our town was selected by this hate monger.
James
Oh yes we all need to see HATE ON PARADE. Get a life Rex Huskey, we are better than this.
Hdtex
Troll is pathetic
Cam
And the same screename that regularly defends anti-LGBTQ bigots and attacks LGBTQ people as “Bullies” for speaking up against bigots…..defends another bigot.
This is my surprised look.
TrevorRivera1217
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rikard_pearson
there isn’t a pride event, or craft fair, or farmer’s market, or ethnic festival, or sporting event, or vintage car club that doesn’t have to get the permits and waivers. the history of gay pride has well established reporting of the continual unfair and illegal obstruction from municipal governments. thinking they could just throw something together in a few weeks proves how unprepared they are.
TheBigOne
I wonder if Ms. Grundmann is really “straight”. I doubt it, I heard that lisp.
Kangol2
She’s got more petticoats under that suit that Scarlett O’Hara. The olde racist queene doth protest too much!
boymikefl
She’s a big old queen. Another Charlottesville except this time, there will only be fine people on one side.
Nuttypea
I’m a hater by nature, my favorite news stories are when a kid gets their lemonade stand shut down for not having the proper paperwork. This is a much more enjoyable version of that
Kangol2
If this old racist queene Gruntmann is the face of “Straight Pride,” it might as well hide its head in shame!
Mack
I kind of expect them to appear in nazi-styled uniform or hooded robes. Don’t know for sure it just sticks out in my mind. Seems like this group is also going to target the LGBTQ community, particularly the Transgender aspect. Those in Modesto be on your toes and stay away from the area they want to have their hatefest.
Thad
Do we need this brouhaha over six people?
Hdtex
Yes.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Still waiting for a single one of these abhorrent repugnant smcubags to cite a single example of how any Gay person living their lives, getting married, enjoying equally has negatively affected them in ANY way…
It comes down to this they are smcubags with black souls. They thirst for hatred and bigotry. They can no longer openly spew hatred on Blacks, Jews, Hispanics or any other group except Gays. The Repugnant party and administration has given cover and tact approval for such noxious behavior .
greybat
As far as I can tell, it only benefits them… They get free money from Crowdsourcing, gigs on television, and even phony jobs Administrating Anti- Civil Rights Organizations!
Felecia
Without getting into a debate over who’s a jealous, tatty old Queen as opposed to the pushy Religious Right and their mouthy minions, I just want to say that as a 56 yr old lesbian I sort of say ‘good for Straight pride’; with a dollop of understanding. I have immense respect for the LGBTQ community and the sacrifices made by the early warriors, going back to the original symbol of a pink triangle instead of today’s all-inclusive Rainbow flag. I’ve witnessed our now so-called ‘negative labels’ grow from simply the Gay & Lesbian Movement to the LGB Movement, to the LGBT Movement, and most recently we’ve thrown in a ‘Q’ for those who are still not sure. No disrespect intended, but back in the day that WAS a bisexual, lol…hey, I’m old….forgive me, kids, lol…and I don’t even want to think of WTF a ‘pansexual’ might be. Anyway, my point here is that by now I am tired. Tired of being expected to ‘get involved’ and wave a flag just because I happen to be one of those letters within the LGBTQ logo. I was born this way; what’s next, Brown-Eyed People Movement..? Folks Taller Than 6 ft…design a flag, jolly giants..? How about a movement for nothing but Natural Blondes Who Can Prove It, while we’re at it, lol…when do I and my wife get to act and live like normal, ordinary people with kids and grandchildren, and our legal relationship no more odd than any other marriage in America, I ask…I don’t WANT to shove my lifestyle down peoples’ throats; any more than I want to have to see all the straight soft-porn scenes that seem to be in every major network’s drama and/or action programs and films these days. The only flags we display are the United States one and a blue Indianapolis Colts banner. We are Americans first and foremost; a married and committed couple for 19 yrs, and proud Grammas and Moms. All important stuff, and we improve the INDIANA community for those things because they must be worked for and earned…not simply due to being born LGBTQ. Let’s give a colorful medal for merely surviving birth and breathing, then…it’s gotten ridiculous, and this bunch threatening to do a Straight Pride only proves it. And would someone please inform me if Lefties are suddenly organizing to challenge centuries of Right-handed oppression…yeah, those stupid labels, lol. I just want to be HUMAN first…..:)
Cam
A lot of rambling to defend bigots.
Also, a huge giveaway to a troll account is that they always start by identifying themselves as a part of the group they are about to turn against….
As a lesbian…….as a transgendered person…..as a gay man…….as a woman of color.
Sweetie, the rest of us don’t need to identify ourselves….because we’re here on this site. But nice try, your participation trophy is being mailed to your address…… Is Siberia spelled with one “b’ or two?
woodroad34
He’s trying to make a case for how oppressed the government is towards straights. This last statement shows that the council was correct and he’s just stamping his little Trumpian feet at not getting his bigoted way,
Cam
Countdown to some male prostitute coming out with pictures of this guy as a client? 5….4…..3….