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Dad responds to rude neighbor with rainbow flags.

Sometimes, when we encounter unsavory behavior from others, a response is warranted. But the real art is responding in a way that’s clear, strong, and yet still peaceful. For an example of this, look no further than Xander’s dad, who was on the receiving end of hate from his neighbor. Rather than spewing back the same amount of vitriol, his colorful comeback had courage, wit and just the right amount of flair.

As Xander tells us in the video, the retort came after the neighbor told his dad that having two gay kids (Xander’s sister Claire is a lesbian) meant he “failed as a parent.” “So dad took a moment then replied with this…” the onscreen text reads. Next thing you know, Xander’s dad can be seen filling his backyard with huge (like, parade-level huge) rainbow pride flags. A dozen of them at least.

The video ends with the words: “No, saying things like that does.”

@fitxander

Some AWESOME shade from my dad 😂🌈 #gay #dad @claire_training

 


In another video, we learn that the not-so-friendly neighborhood watch told his dad that he wasn’t allowed to fly “gay flags” anymore.

@fitxander

Follow me on IG for more 🌈 #lgbtq #gay #pride

 


But rather than accept defeat—or resort to cruelty—he simply looked at the rules, only to discover that his house was actually outside the map by 2 meters (6.5 feet). So up the pride flags went! And even more this time!

Flag responses seem to run in the family. In another video, Xander explains that his neighbor (where have all the friendly ones gone?) said he couldn’t sell his house because of the small window-sized trans flag hung near the roof. So Xander got an even bigger one that covered the entire back side.

Are gay people more likely to have gay siblings than straight people?

In another video, Xander introduced his sister, who is a lesbian, begging the question, is it more likely for gay people to have a gay sibling than a straight person? Research says yes. Gay women and men are more likely to have gay siblings than straight women and straight men. Somewhere between 7 to 16% of gay people also have a gay sibling.


@fitxander

We really did say this. What were we thinking! #gay #lesbian #gaysiblings

Pride Flags have long been a nonviolent way to stand up for the LGBTQ community. And yet, they still manage to whip up plenty of heated controversy, particularly at schools. The original eight colors all had a specific meaning, and only one color (pink) denoted sexuality. Meaning that the pride flag was and is just as nuanced and dynamic as the people it represents.

The flag has taken on many different forms over the years as it evolves to speak for more marginalized communities, but it remains a peaceful and artistic form of protest. One that always seems to get the message across.

This article originally appeared three years ago.

via Twitter / Soraya

There is a strange right-wing logic that suggests when minorities fight for equal rights it's somehow a threat to the rights already held by those in the majority or who hold power.

Like when the Black Lives Matter movement started, many on the right claimed that fighting for black people to be treated equally somehow meant that other people's lives were not as valuable, leading to the short-lived All Lives Matter movement.

This same "oppressed majority" logic is behind the new Straight Pride movement which made headlines in August after its march through the streets of Boston.


Several dozen marchers walked the parade route carrying pro-Donald Trump messages such as "build the wall," "Trump nation" and "Blue Lives Matter." Which has little to do with being straight.

They were met by over 1,000 counter protesters who drowned them out.

 

"I am here to say, 'I am straight, hear me roar!'" said Mark Sahady, vice president of Super Happy Fun America, which put on the parade. "Whether you are straight and part of the oppressed majority, or here as an ally supporting us, we welcome you to the greatest parade in the history of the world!"

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Super Happy Fun America say it's "committed to creating spaces for people of all identities to embrace the vibrancy of the straight community."

A Straight Pride Parade planned in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, November 16, didn't fare as well. Only three supporters attended the event at Dallas City Hall. Super Happy Fun America said it would send supporters to the rally, and only two showed up.

via Facebook / Protecting Our Next Generations

The march was promoted by Protecting Our Next Generations (PONG), an anti-LGBT group who says they are "Strong conservative Christians who are standing up for our Biblical values."

At the rally, the group planned to discuss abortion, sex/human trafficking, drag-queen story times, and radical left-wing groups they say are "trying to shut down our businesses and churches."

Well, it wasn't much of a protest.

 

"The two [Super Happy Fun America] organizers were hilariously outnumbered by pro-LGBT & anti-fascist protesters - and about a dozen police," activist Soraya Colli tweeted.

RELATED: A director asked to see Jennifer Lopez's breasts. Her response says a lot about standing up for yourself.

They were later joined by a member of the white supremacist group, the Proud Boys.

"It would have been pathetic if it weren't so laughable — they really believe anti-fascists are out there throwing bricks and beating up Trump supporters, but instead it was LGBT allies with rubber chickens and cowbells to drown them out," Colli told the Advocate.

After the failure in Dallas, it appears as though the Straight Pride movement, much like the All Lives Matter crowd, is just a reactionary blip on the historical radar, soon to be forgotten.

The gay pride movement, which helped an entire population take massive steps toward equality, has been around for five decades.

However, groups like Straight Pride or All Lives Matter are short-lived because they aren't fighting for their rights, but trying to hold others down.

In 2015, a police department in Sussex, England, decided to paint one of their squad cars for Pride.

Photo by Bill Bruzas, used with permission.


While most in the community supported the gesture, department spokesperson Jenni Nuttall told Upworthy there was, "some criticism on social media."

Several residents took issue with the cost of the paint job, which totaled about $295 (225 pounds).

One commenter on Twitter said that the project raised the question of, "where the police's priorities lie," according to a BBC report.

This year, the department decided to make it clear exactly where their priorities lie.

"I wanted to send a message that we wholeheartedly reject the views of those who appear to be critical because it's an LGBT event," Department Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp wrote on Twitter.

"So, I looked around for the biggest vehicle I have."

Photo by Sussex Police/Facebook, used with permission.

The department spent about $550 (420 pounds) to have the van, the largest vehicle in their fleet, decked out for Brighton and Hove's annual Pride gathering, one of the largest events in the city.


According to Kemp, painting the van was an attempt to, "stand against discrimination in an even bigger way than before."

The van made its debut at the city's Trans Pride festival last weekend.

In addition to starring in some photos with their new be-rainbowed vehicle, members of the department handed out literature on combatting transphobia, as well as resources for victims of anti-trans violence.

.

A few folks popped up on the department's Facebook page to gripe about the cost of the paint job.


Photo via Sussex Police/Facebook.

But the vast majority of commenters were thrilled at how their tax dollars were being used:

Photo via Sussex Police/Facebook.

The department hopes that Chief Superintendent Kemp's message comes through loud and clear.

"By taking part in the parade we hope to show that we are a supportive and open-minded organization who the people of Sussex can trust and have confidence [in]," Nuttall said.