Claim comes after the media giant objects to the hate group's use of its logo

Image via YouTube

AT THE end of August Boston will be treated to the sight of a bunch of right-wing loons, led by white supremacist John Hugo, above, marching in a ‘Straight Pride’ festival.

But ahead of the parade the organisers – Super Happy Fun America – ran into a spot of bother for claiming that Netflix was a ‘potential sponsor’. They received a cease-and-desist order from the company which said:

You are using the Netflix logo to promote your event, which despite its name is about hate – not pride. That’s gross and deeply hurtful, but it’s also deceptive misinformation and infringes our legal rights. Netflix has nothing to do with your organization or event. Indeed, it’s telling that you feel the need to lie to gain legitimacy. … You should know that we’re unafraid of bullies. Our legal department is here, it’s queer, and it’s telling you to steer clear.

The parade organisers responsed by saying:

Sadly, we have learned that Netflix is a heterophobic company steeped in hatred and bigotry.  They not only rejected our offer but threatened us with litigation if we did not stop using their name and logo, which is perfectly legal for editorial or informational purposes. Netflix labelled us bullies and declared that their legal department ‘is here, it’s queer, and it’s telling you to steer clear.’ 

Obviously, Netflix has no qualms about using their position of power to threaten marginalized groups who are exercising their 1stamendment rights.  It appears that their legal department is staffed by gay supremacists who are so accustomed to privilege that our goal of equality for straights feels like oppression to them.  In fact, it is Netflix that is acting like a bully.  We have every right to inform the public about our attempts to gain sponsors for our parade and their hate will not stop us.

Brad Pitt wants nothing to do with ‘Straight Pride’. Image via YouTube/NBC News

The Netflix warning came after the organisers were forced to remove a photo of Brad Pitt to promote its parade. The actor had not given permission for his image to be used and  threatened legal action.

The organisers are heavily linked with far-right movements and nationalist protests. Questions have been raised over the past political activities of the trio of men behind the group, John Hugo, Mark Sahady and Chris Bartley.

Sahady and Bartley are both heavily associated with Resist Marxism – a loose ultra-conservative group found to have links to white supremacist organisations – while Hugo ran, unsuccessfully, for congress in 2018 with an endorsement from the same group.