Trump's Million MAGA March Was a Homophobic Failure

Saturday's Million MAGA March in Washington D.C. fell about 990,000 people short of their attendance goal, but the few actually who did show up made up for the lack of a crowd with extra doses of bigotry and homophobia. The streets of the nation's capital filled with supporters of the president, claiming the election was stolen and carrying bigoted and threatening signs against the LGBTQ+ community.

"We just saw a very disturbing sign," Fox News anchor Eric Shawn said on television Saturday, interrupting an interview with Axios co-founder, Mike Allen. "It said 'Coming for Blacks and Indians, welcome to the new world order.' I mean, who the hell knows, you know, what people have, and what they will say about those things."

Another sign used Trump's campaign slogan and turned it into a homophobic, anti-marriage equality slur, reading "Make America Great Again: Ban Homo Marriage."

The list of speakers was also a who's who of bigots, conspiracy theorists, and far right activists. Shock personality Alex Jones spoke to the crowd. Amy Kremer, a former tea party activist, also delivered a few words. In the crowd listening to them were roughly 100 Proud Boys as well as members of the Boogaloo Boies, the Three Percenters, and the Oath Keepers, three groups that have been identified by some as far-right militia groups. In this way, the event mirrors a series of Straight Pride events that have been held over the past few years, all disasterous, and many with links to racist, homophobic, fascist, and/or alt-right organizations.

Ironically missing the disconnect between Trump policies and the impact they are having on the LGBTQ+ community, the march also featured plenty of gay anthems like "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People. Another popular group played at the event on Saturday was Queen, with organizers apparently unaware that the group's frontman, Freddie Mercury, was bisexual.

The daytime hours of the event were largely uneventful, although counterdemonstrators later engaged with the marchers and violence erupted. One person was stabbed, two police officers were injured, and 20 people were arrested on a variety of charges.

The event was organized by the group Women for America First. President Trump himself made an appearance on Saturday. His motorcade drove through the crowds, with the president waving and smiling from within his armored vehicle.

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