BOISE, ID – The owner of a southern Idaho bar has found himself at the center of a national conversation after announcing “Hetero Awesome Fest,” a festival aimed at celebrating heterosexuals during June, typically recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
“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,” says the website promoting the event.
The Old State Saloon in Eagle, owned by Mark Fitzpatrick, is promoting the festival as a way to honor what he calls “traditional values” and “godly living.” Planned activities at the business include themed nights like “Hetero Male Mondays,” which will feature free drinks and special offers for straight men, along with various other promotions throughout June.
“Far from a timid nonprofit, HA positions itself as a battle-ready force in the culture war, targeting what they claim are the enemies of traditional families: woke ideologues, those who oversexualize children, DEI hustlers, and school indoctrinators. The group is assembling a team of full-time content creators described as truth-seeking champs tasked with digging deep, unmasking the rot, and pushing to remove these influences from leadership and power across society. From Big Pharma’s pill-pushing schemes to the Marxist teachings of LGBTQ+ extremism, HA has the opposition identified,” says a release from Heterosexual Awesomeness Inc., a newly created 501c3 non-profit organization.
Organizers have announced that “Hetero Awesome Fest” will take place June 20-21, 2025, at Cecil D. Andrus Park in Boise. The park is located directly in front of Idaho’s Capitol building. The announcement quickly stirred controversy online, with critics accusing the event of being tone-deaf and divisive.
Opponents say Pride Month was originally created to support marginalized groups and that celebrating heterosexuality—already widely represented in society—could undermine that spirit.
Supporters, on the other hand, have praised the movement, saying that everyone should feel free to celebrate who they are.
Organizers maintain that the event is intended to foster community and positivity. They also say that they are preparing for larger-than-usual crowds and have increased security measures to ensure the festival remains safe and respectful for all guests.
