In a bold and provocative move, the Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, has ignited a firestorm of debate by declaring June as “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month.” This announcement, a direct counter to the LGBTQ+ focused Pride Month, has both supporters and detractors in a heated online clash, highlighting the growing cultural divide in America.
The Old State Saloon made its controversial declaration on Facebook, stating, “June will be OSS’s inaugural Heterosexual Awesomeness Month! Come join us all month to celebrate heterosexuals, for without them, none of us would be here!” The post, dripping with irony, poked fun at the mainstream media’s overwhelming focus on Pride Month, suggesting a need to celebrate traditional values.
As part of the festivities, the saloon announced special events, including “Hetero Male Monday,” where heterosexual men dressed in traditional male attire receive a free draft beer, and “Heterosexual Couples Day” on Wednesdays, offering a 15% discount to heterosexual couples. The post received over 4,500 likes and 3,500 comments, igniting a fierce debate in the comments section.Not surprisingly, the announcement drew sharp criticism from some quarters. Opponents flooded the comment section with vitriol and expletives, prompting the saloon to issue a follow-up post: “It seems as though people who are against Heterosexual Awesomeness Month have a hard time commenting without using horrific words, expletives, using the name of the Lord in vain, etc. Make an intelligent comment and stay. Cuss and you are banned. Thanks. We’ve banned about 25 already.”
The Old State Saloon’s social media pages saw an influx of visitors, both locals and curious onlookers from across the country. In a subsequent post, the bar expressed gratitude for the attention: “We’d like to thank all the out-of-state folks for visiting our FB page for our local bar here in Eagle, Idaho! God Bless and have a great day!”
However, the controversy didn’t end online. The saloon reported facing significant backlash in real life, including theft, vendor refusals, and even false accusations against the owner. To combat these challenges, they launched a fundraising campaign, detailing their plight and rallying support from like-minded individuals who appreciated the celebration of traditional values.
The fundraising page stated, “Since we announced Hetero Awesomeness Month we’ve had some significant backlash: theft of our property, vendors refusing to fulfill our orders for ingredients, wedding catering cancelation, libel, slander – even the owner being falsely accused of being a sex offender.” Yet, amid the adversity, the bar also received substantial support from those who understood and valued their message of freedom and personal values.
Predictably, the comments on the fundraiser were a microcosm of the broader debate. One commenter expressed deep disappointment, stating, “This is horridly disappointing. I can handle differing political views. I CANNOT handle bigotry and hate towards marginalized communities… this is a blatant attack against the queer community.”
In contrast, another defended the saloon’s stance, arguing, “Wild social experiment you’re doing here… There’s no hate being expressed and what you’re advocating is entirely appropriate, and fair. Yet… it’s met with hate, intolerance, and a range of emotional reactions.”
The Old State Saloon’s declaration of “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” serves as a stark reminder of the deep cultural rifts in today’s society. While some see it as a necessary assertion of traditional values, others view it as a divisive and hurtful gesture. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle over cultural identity and the definition of inclusivity in modern America.
