Homophobic slurs, spitting, and destruction of property are not normally what you expect at a Fourth of July event, but it’s what happened during Montrose Colorado’s Fourth of July Parade.
Mellissa McChristian (she/they), witnessed a younger boy, approximately 12-14 years old, flipping off everyone in her section of the Montrose Pride procession. There were even fake $100 bills with the words “Stop Being Gay” printed on them being tossed at the Montrose Pride participants.
But things got more sinister than that. Sebastian Sandoval (they/them), driver of one of the decorated cars in the Montrose Pride procession, did feel in danger. When I asked Sandoval if he felt threatened they replied, “Kind of, to be honest with you. I went around the corner and I heard that first pop and I looked around. That’s when I passed a kid. He spit on and in my car and his parents were right there watching him. And I go about maybe 75 feet from that, and that’s when I heard the second pop, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s happening to my car. Oh, I’m gonna die out here in the parade, how embarrassing.’ That’s when I hear it ‘Faggot … You guys don’t belong here.’ ”
Consequently, because of the projectiles hurled, Sandoval‘s car sustained a cracked front windshield, a driver’s side chipped window, and a small dent on the back seat driver’s side panel. When I asked Sandoval, if there was anything positive about the event, they said “We heard a couple of claps from people that were supportive, but it was drowned out by all the disgust and hate that we were all receiving.”
But Sebastian Sandoval wasn’t the only one who had derogatory remarks hurled at them. Witnesses say that there was a teenager in the procession who also had the f-slur slur yelled at him, but the teenager and their mother declined to comment.
Although not everything was negative. Evelyn Greenman-Baird (she/her), organizer of the Montrose Pride said, “I will say, though that we did experience a lot of positivity. Literally folks that were in the crowd that were just cheering enthusiastically for us.” Greenman-Baird did say she witnessed people deliberately stopping clapping at their Montrose Pride float, someone shouting “All lives matter!” as they passed, and a few people questioning why a gay pride float was there at a Fourth of July event.
Greenman-Baird wants the message to be “…that this was a successful event. Yeah, there was hate, and there was bigotry. But I really believe that this event overall was a powerfully successful event. The whole city could see our existence and see our authenticity, and see how much we were loved and supported by other members of the community.”
She continues, “And that’s really what I’m hoping people kind of hold on to. There is still hate and negativity and nasty things in our community. But it’s really changing.”
Although there was an immense amount of positivity, it was definitely overshadowed by the bigotry that was displayed.
Even after the event, the hateful comments continued while I investigated the incidents. After posting on a local message board on Facebook asking for eyewitnesses I received personal messages from Tye Hess. He messaged me, “Why don’t you just try and be happy and stop fucking with people clearly the town doesn’t agree with it. Who the hell are you?”
On another public Facebook post of mine, Tye Hess continues his tirade.
“Your opening statement says this is your town? It may be, but it’s ours as well. None of us others who live or have lived in Montrose have opinions just like you. This seems as if you are a small few trying to force your beliefs on others. It may be, and the other may be forcing beliefs on you as well, but at the end of the day, majority rule is still a thing.”
The comments continued on Facebook with the Montrose Daily Press’s article on the Fourth of July incidents.
Bryon Carey posts, “Why can’t they be what they are without feeling like they need to flaunt their sickness.” As well as another comment, “That’s what they deserve.”
JD Cougar comments, “Mental illness at its finest.”
Although there were a few kind comments like, Chad Jukes sayinf, “I don’t know about you, but I fought for this country. I ended up losing a leg defending the rights of the amazing humans who were on the Montrose Pride float. I’m honestly disgusted that anyone would take issue with their presence in the parade.”
But the bigotry definitely overshadowed the support.
At least one report of the alleged harassment/disorderly conduct was made to the Montrose Police Department about the incident that occurred on July 4, 2024. MPD released this statement: “Incidents like this affect us all and are very concerning for our entire community.” Though they are encouraging people to come forward with information, and investigating, much more needs to be done.
The words of Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people,” remind us that we cannot sit idly by. We must take a stand. Speak out, join advocacy groups, and not remain silent. Now is the time for bravery. As Sebastian Sandoval says, “We will not be silenced, and we will not let hate win … Love is love, and we ain’t going nowhere.”
