Gay couples commandeered the Proud Boys hashtag on Twitter over the weekend after President Trump
Donald TrumpCaitlyn Jenner says election was not 'stolen,' calls Biden 'our president' Overnight Health Care: FDA authorizes Pfizer vaccine for adolescents | Biden administration reverses limits on LGBTQ health protections Overnight Defense: US fires 30 warning shots at Iranian boats | Kabul attack heightens fears of Afghan women's fates | Democratic Party leaders push Biden on rejoining Iran deal MORE told the violent far-right group to “stand by” in last week’s presidential debate.
Numerous people using the hashtag have shared images and stories from pivotal moments in their relationships., with high-profile participants including the Canadian Armed Forces and “Star Trek” actor George Takei.
Look at these cute lil #ProudBoys (#retweet and make this hashtag about love, not hate) pic.twitter.com/AddflCUMpi
— Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) October 4, 2020
The #proudboys take over of proud boys is the greatest thing to happen in 2020. https://t.co/px1qem60Ni
— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) October 4, 2020
I’ll break my almost four years of Twitter silence to participate in this. Here’s a photo of me and my best friend & husband. IMHO we’re the definition of #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/1GDuaBGK3E
— Joe (@iamjoeprince) October 4, 2020
My husband and I have been together 30 years. We are:#ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/Fccr6sFD0k
— Mark Fish (@SMarkfish) October 4, 2020
️ #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/rEFL7xIqXu
— Canadian Forces in (@CAFinUS) October 4, 2020
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
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 1, 2020
In the Tuesday debate, asked to condemn the group, Trump responded “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.”
Social media activity indicated the group took the comment as a call to arms, and members quickly created memes incorporating it.
Trump insisted he “[didn’t] know what the Proud Boys are” the next day and adding “they should stand down. Let law enforcement do their work.”
The same day, Alan Swinney, a member of the group, was arrested on charges of assault, pointing a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon for brandishing a gun at counterprotests in Portland, Ore.
