A controversial “straight pride” parade in Boston on Saturday drew more than 1,000 counter-protesters and a few hundred supporters. The rightwing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was “grand marshal” of the event, for which a group calling itself Super Happy Fun America (SHFA) acquired a permit in June. SHFA claimed it wished to draw attention to the straight community. Yiannopoulos, who is gay and conservative, told the crowd: “Add the S to LGBTQ!” Guarded by hundreds of Boston police officers and berated with yells of “Nazi scum”, the rightwing group made its way to Boston city hall for a speaking program. Students pressed their noses against windows of Emerson College dorms, next to signs reading “Be gay” and “No need for straight pride”. The school is known for its large LGBTQ student body and inclusivity. Its president, Lee Pelton, issued a letter this week that called the march a “perversion”.