Gay Twitter Commandeers #ProudBoys Hashtag from Pro-Trump White Supremacist Group, Floods Social Media With Images of Same Sex Love

A social media campaign by gay and LGBTQ people and allies to reclaim the hashtag #ProudBoys from the white supremacist group is working, as Twitter was flooded on Sunday with photos of gay couples kissing, rainbow flags, and drag queens.

After Donald Trump failed to unequivocally condemn the racist, neo-fascist organization during his debate with Joe Biden last Monday, telling them to instead “stand back and stand by”, Proud Boy members gleefully took to social media to claim they had Trump’s backing.

In a follow-up interview with Fox on Thursday, Trump did go on to offer a more concrete condemnation: “I’ve said it many times, let me be clear again, I condemn the KKK [Ku Klux Klan]. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys,” he told Sean Hannity. “I don’t know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing, but I condemn that.”

This, of course, only brought the group – whose extremist activities have been detailed by the Southern Poverty Law Center – more attention.

It’s unclear exactly where the idea to take over the hashtag #ProudBoys came from, but when actor and activist George Takei tweeted the suggestion on Thursday of attaching it to images of same-sex love, a spark was lit.

“What if gay guys took pictures of themselves making out with each other or doing very gay things, then tagged themselves with #ProudBoys?” he asked.

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

Thousands answered his call, and #ProudBoys began trending over the weekend. Now, when you type #ProudBoys into Twitter, instead of far-right racists, you’re greeted with images of proud, gay men.

If you wear our uniform, know what it means.

If you’re thinking about wearing our uniform, know what it means.

Love is love.
Know what we mean? 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈

— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) October 4, 2020

My love my husband my world so let take this word back #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/nRVrXjQ3v9

— deecannon (@Dee_cannon0714) October 4, 2020

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

#ProudBoys trending on Twitter is one of the most beautiful 2020 things! pic.twitter.com/aLJ5T9RxgK

— Jennifer Brown (@jennibee70) October 4, 2020

#ProudBoys on route 😂🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/RABayty2i6

— Being LGBTQ Podcast🏳️‍🌈 (@BeingLGBTQPod) October 4, 2020

Gay twitter has claimed the #ProudBoys hashtag from alt-right white supremacists and filled it with images of love, positivity, and true PRIDE! Go and take a look, it’ll make your day 🌈♥️ pic.twitter.com/gVnvYuDU7P

— Jordan Daly (@jcrdandaly) October 4, 2020

Reclaiming the hashtag #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/OyeTIvftiy

— TURN TEXAS BLUE (@Blue_Texas2020) October 3, 2020

Reclaiming the hashtag #ProudBoys 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/5FlTcUqKY0

— Ryan Knight 🌹 (@ProudSocialist) October 4, 2020

U.S. Marine Sgt. Brandon Morgan and his partner Dalan Wells. #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/vZ9fVkTO3d

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) October 4, 2020

Drown out the noise!

Proud of these #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/SYGrhok8dJ

— Luke Baines (@LukeBaines) October 4, 2020

So rad how the #ProudBoys hashtag has been taken over with love. #LoveIsLove and #LoveAlwaysWins! Joining in because #LoveMatters. Been with this incredible guy for 12 years now. Happiness is.❤️🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/q0LeWnn0x9

— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) October 5, 2020

Good morning America!! #PrideBoys #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/3ruu5vdRAt

— Dr Gráinne McEntee (@pongosapien) October 4, 2020

Me and my husband on our wedding day being #ProudBoys. pic.twitter.com/NOEbyDZdd5

— Nick Malkin (@NickTMAZ) October 5, 2020

I wanna hang with these #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/7hzjPLu5xX

— Lea Thompson (@LeaKThompson) October 4, 2020

My boyfriend and I are #ProudBoys. Your an amazing guy. Thanks for the love and the laughs!!!! pic.twitter.com/VYQcneBBCe

— Jeremy Schaeffer (@Schaefferjer) October 5, 2020

The reclaiming of #ProudBoys is wonderful. Here’s me and my husband. Together for 20 years and married for 3. Both very proud boys. pic.twitter.com/U2Dj95wpxy

— Matt Dechaine 👂 (@mattdechaine) October 4, 2020

Love wins, always 🏳️‍🌈 #ProudBoys pic.twitter.com/sKctdXpRaj

— Ryan Hamshaw (@RyanJHammy) October 5, 2020

The #ProudBoys hashtag is full of images of love and pride a freedom and is just beautiful pic.twitter.com/UcDeEnp71h

— Hitch (@eleeeyeeleh) October 4, 2020

#ProudBoys twenty seven years together and still going❤️ pic.twitter.com/55M8lxjff1

— Dr Paul Gilluley🌈 (@DrGilluley) October 4, 2020

The #ProudBoys are here and ready to get out the vote!

Let's build a voting army while we're on standby 🌈✨ RT and follow 😘 pic.twitter.com/kJehy9NCJZ

— Saad Amer (@itsSaadAmer) October 4, 2020

Takei took again to Twitter to post an image of himself and his husband, and to thank people for showing support.

Brad and I are #ProudBoys, legally married for 12 years now. And we’re proud of all of the gay folks who have stepped up to reclaim our pride in this campaign. Our community and allies answered hate with love, and what could be better than that. pic.twitter.com/GRtSH1ijQ8

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 4, 2020