'80s rock anthem dropped as SF Pride's theme after singer's controversial tweet
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Twisted Sister’s 1980s rock classic, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” was named the unofficial anthem of this year’s SF Pride Parade and Celebration in San Francisco following a controversial tweet from the band’s lead singer. has been removed as Nexstar’s KRON confirmed the celebration.
The festival was on the verge of officially declaring the song as Pride’s “unofficial rallying cry”, and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider was scheduled to perform the song on the festival’s main stage.
However, relations between the flamboyant rocker and the festival fell apart when Snyder tweeted his support for a statement by KISS frontman Paul Stanley that has been widely panned as transphobic.
on Sunday, Stanley tweeted a lengthy statement That part reads, “With many children who have no real sense of sexuality or sexual experience, they are caught up in the ‘fun’ of using pronouns and saying what they identify as, something Adults mistakenly confuse teaching acceptance with normalizing and encouraging a status quo. There has actually been a struggle for influencers and have turned it into a sad and dangerous fad.”
The tweet drew a divisive response, with many members of the right-wing media praising Stanley’s stance. Others called the tweet anti-trans and accused Stanley of misrepresenting gender-affirming care as a “sport”.
Others, such as Offspring guitarist Noodles, pointed to the irony of someone like Stanley, “who wore high heels, makeup, and teased hair her entire career,” questioning gender-affirming care.
On Monday, Snyder weighed in on the debate, retweet Stanley and saying, “You know what? There was a time when I felt ‘pretty’ too. Glad my parents didn’t jump to any hasty conclusions! Well said, @PaulStanleyLive.”
Snyder’s expressed support for Stanley prompted SF Pride to re-evaluate its relationship with the singer, who, like Stanley, was also known for wearing makeup and a flamboyant stage appearance.
“SF Pride and D have finally mutually agreed to part ways,” the festival said in a statement. “We appreciate D’s coming to the table.”
Read SF Pride’s full statement below:
San Francisco Pride was on the verge of announcing Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” as the unofficial rallying cry of this year’s SF Pride Parade & Celebration, with the band’s frontman Dee Snider performing the song at our center stage. Were staying Dee has always been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
However, when we were informed about do In which Dee expressed support for Kiss’s Paul Stanley’s transphobic statement, we are heartbroken and angry. The message conveyed by that tweet casts doubt on the ability of young trans people to self-identify with their gender.
Transgender people, especially transgender women and children of color, are disproportionately affected by hate and violence. And with transphobia spreading—and becoming more and more enshrined in law across the country—we have to stand up for the most affected among us.
We have mutually agreed to part ways, but appreciate D seeing this as a teachable moment and a reminder that colleagues also need to be educated to ensure that they Not accidentally promoting transphobia.
To all of our partners – we want to invite you in – don’t want to invite you out.
This year’s SF Pride Celebration will take place on June 24 and 25, and the annual Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, June 25.
