When US President Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacists during his debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden, choosing instead to tell the Proud Boys—a far-right outfit designated as a hate-group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre—to “stand back and stand by”, the group took it as a tacit endorsement of their actions.
They have since released memes and t-shirts bearing Trump’s quote (later taken down by Amazon). The Washington Post reported that Trump’s comments gave the group a boost, with membership on Telegram groups rising as well as mention of the group on social media.
Now, an LGBT movements seeks to drown out the group’s newfound publicity by taking over the #ProudBoys hashtag.
Referring to the movement by kpop fans to drown out alt-right hashtags with posts about kpop groups like BTS, Star Trek actor George Takei tweeted, “I wonder if the BTS and TikTok kids can help LGBTs with this. What if gay guys took pictures of themselves making out with each other or doing very gay things, then tagged themselves with #ProudBoys. I bet it would mess them up real bad. #ReclaimingMyShine”.
So basically, you’re saying the #prideboys should take over #proudboys ? Works for me pic.twitter.com/whXO4Vco7W
— XCfalcon (@chucktripp74) October 1, 2020
The tweet was retweeted over 12,000 times and soon sparked a hashtag revolution.
When I met this man we weren’t allowed to marry. The law changed & we had our trip to the registry office & our official day of love because society changed -is still changing- thanks to all the brave allies of all genders & loving families & #ProudBoys #LoveMakesTheWorldGoRound pic.twitter.com/rOQTJ07bP5
— Damian Barr (@Damian_Barr) October 4, 2020
Users flooded Twitter with pics of gay and queer couples with the hashtag #ProudBoys.
Some boys just do Pride better. 🏳️🌈 #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/kNJIG7z31c
— Omar van Reenen🇳🇦🏳️🌈♀️ (@OmarvanReenen) October 5, 2020
Loving life with my partner of 27 years. We are #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/YL3ZOhTLfX
— John Arbuckle (@arb573164773686) October 5, 2020
However, the movement has not phased some members of the Proud Boys. One of the group’s leaders, Enrique Tarrio, told CNN "I think it's hysterical...This isn't something that's offensive to us. It's not an insult. We aren't homophobic. We don't care who people sleep with. People think it's going to bother us. It doesn't."
If you wear our uniform, know what it means.
— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) October 4, 2020
If you’re thinking about wearing our uniform, know what it means.
Love is love.
Know what we mean? 🇨🇦🏳️🌈
Notably, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes has frequently claimed that the group is not against homosexuality.