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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBill Donohue backs out of pride parade, gives multiple reasons, but it's everyone else's fault
The day before Catholic League head and anti-gay activist Bill Donohue announced that he wouldnt participate in the NYC Pride Parade even though organizers accepted his application to lead a Straight Is Great parade contingent, Donohue told conservative talk show host Steve Malzberg that the parade organizers are maneuvering to keep him out of the parade because they are afraid his Straight Is Great message will catch on and flood the parade: They know what theyre opening the door to: what if instead of getting 100 people, what if I get 3,000 people? What if we begin to overwhelm their parade and vetoes their message? (Yes, he really thinks this)
Donohue said that he withdrew from the parade because he didnt want to attend required training sessions for all group leaders.
Quite frankly, as a straight guy, I dont go to gay training sessions, Donohue said. I think Im pretty much an untrainable guy when it comes to this thing.
For the record, those gay training sessions that NYC Pride convenes arent quite as exciting as they sound: We hold March information and safety sessions, referred to as group leader trainings, so our participants are fully aware of rules and procedures come event day. These trainings address line-up times, check-in locations, our moment of silence, dispersal activity, NYPD safety policies, attire and vehicle/sound permits. It is imperative group leaders know this information.
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/bill-donohue-thinks-his-straight-great-contingent-would-have-overwhelmed-pride-parade
'Safety is gay!' The New Right ideology in a nutshell for you folks.
AleksS
(1,665 posts)As usual, you can rely on conservatives to be all talk when it comes to pulling these stunts. We're still waiting for Hannity to be waterboarded, for Limbaugh to move out of the country, etc. etc. etc.
I kind of love it when they bluster, because by this point it's basically 100% sure you can call their bluff without any worry.
Their excuses are always hilarious though. I mean, could a person sound dumber than: Quite frankly, as a straight guy, I dont go to gay training sessions, Donohue said. I think Im pretty much an untrainable guy when it comes to this thing.
He doesn't even try to not sound like an idiot.
Saviolo
(3,282 posts)Still waiting for him to be dead or in jail!
Skinner
(63,645 posts)What a jerk.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)having delusions of adequacy again.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)Straight is Great group. It sucks that he is backing out because the parade would have gotten national coverage on cable news and there would be a billion Twitter jokes at #straightisgreat.
Rozlee
(2,529 posts)If Bill Donohue, Pat Buchanan, Pat Robertson and other notable conservatives are any example. That's probably why he dropped out.
Behind the Aegis
(53,975 posts)The "training sessions" are pretty much the same for all parades. It is boring and really boring information, but it is needed to adhere to city and state laws. It is probably a good thing he didn't attend. Can you imagine the amount of time wasted as big, hulky bears struggled to pull that man's head from his ass? The meetings are always too long anyway.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And really, I can't blame them.
frylock
(34,825 posts)BAWKACK!
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)The Catholic League being, of course, one guy.
longship
(40,416 posts)Also, I think you'll find his wife involved as well.
OMFG! There's two of them. Now I am really askeered!
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)board of directors and advisors filled with rich and well known names, a multi million dollar budget from which Donohue is provided a lavish salary and expense account. He is the second man to lead the organization, which was founded in 1973.
But sure. One guy with a fax machine.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I still only see one guy.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)His faxes are magical? Where do you think he gets the money? Easter Bunny?
The 'he's one guy' is a tactic used to distance folks from bits of their community they find embarrassing. What they should do is clean their own house.
The idea that his budge comes from the sky and he is one guy with a fax machine is utter and total bullshit.
Feel free to show me any criticism he has faced from RCC leadership. There is none. Because he serves that leadership.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Now.... THAT is funny.
Let me get this out of the way: I am not now, nor have I ever been, officially, unofficially, or theologically linked to the Vatican or any of its affiliated institutions OR belief systems. Not even close.
Okay, fine, there's more than Bill Donohue to the Catholic League. I don't always fall back on "it's a joke", but in this case, yeah, it's a joke. I mean, 300K members or no, I have NEVER seen any indication beyond their website or wikipedia entry, of the catholic "league" consisting of more humans than one Bill Donohue. It's even funnier since it's a "league".
bullwinkle428
(20,629 posts)in the parade to begin with!
Rex
(65,616 posts)Must suck to be such a dullard.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Can this guy HATE any more than he already does?
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)QuestForSense
(653 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)lunasun
(21,646 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)Both straight and gay are great. Too bad some straight people feel threatened.
ck4829
(35,079 posts)I still snicker when he said his presence alone would cause all us straight people to go down there and overwhelm the parade.