News recently broke that the Trump administration had contacted its embassies around the world and banned them from flying rainbow flags in honor of PRIDE month, prompting swift backlash from LGBTQ individuals and their allies online.
Of all the people to defy the White House's decision, however, YouTuber Elijah Daniel may have made the most dramatic gesture.
Vice President Mike Pence confirmed reports that American embassies had been banned from flying the pride flag on t… https://t.co/AWq9VMdTSb— USA TODAY (@USA TODAY) 1560258900
In response to the President's mandate, Elijah Daniel straight up bought the town of Hell, Michigan and renamed it Gay Hell, Michigan.
ahead of pride month Trump’s administration put a ban on embassy’s flying pride flags. so as of today, I am now t… https://t.co/bcbxos4C2r— elijah daniel (@elijah daniel) 1560801839
Gay Hell, Michigan (formerly Hell, Michigan) is a real town in Michigan occupied by 70 people and taking up about 5 acres of land.
It was listed for purchase for $900,000, which apparently seemed like a great price to Daniel.
@elijahdaniel/Twitter
Don't believe it? Elijah took pictures as evidence of his new purchase.
@elijahdaniel/Twitter
This isn't the first time Elijah has found himself in charge of Hell.
He previously became mayor of the town for a brief period of time.
As of today, August 30th, 2017 I am the legal mayor of Hell, Michigan. This is real. I am the mayor of Hell. https://t.co/J7fuaLnFKV— elijah daniel (@elijah daniel) 1504120643
@MikelleStreet @elijahdaniel He was mayor, then impeached. Now he bought the whole thing.— Alexander Chee (@Alexander Chee) 1560813639
Elijah can't wait to spread the word about Gay Hell.
His first order of business?
Ban all flags EXCEPT for rainbow PRIDE flags.
Gay Hell, Mi has everything. A library, a place to lock your love in Gay Hell, and even a WEDDING CHAPEL TO GET GAY… https://t.co/QtL3KgxfC2— elijah daniel (@elijah daniel) 1560801942
@elijahdaniel @missmayn this guy gets it https://t.co/DFDAOAWXJ0— shauna (@shauna) 1560804398
People were amazed at the lengths Elijah went to to make a point.
@elijahdaniel the absolute power of this wow— Maxx Danziger (@Maxx Danziger) 1560807747
@elijahdaniel Truly in awe of you.— Alexander Chee (@Alexander Chee) 1560812538
A lot of Twitter users were packing their bags and getting ready to move to Gay Hell.
@elijahdaniel suddenly i’m moving— Jessie Paege (@Jessie Paege) 1560831090
@elijahdaniel literally hiring movers as i type out this tweet see u soon— Scott Hoying (@Scott Hoying) 1560809956
Of course, the only person whose opinion of Gay Hell really mattered gave the town his approval!
@elijahdaniel This is going to stroke a real eruption in tourism. People will be coming for days, weeks even.— The Church Of Satan (@The Church Of Satan) 1560816153
The implications of having Gay Hell right here on Earth could be far-reaching and profound...
@elijahdaniel If Mike Pence steps foot in this glorious town he spontaneously combusts.— Adam Best (@Adam Best) 1560809751
If this doesn't send a message to the White House, nothing will.
Someday, we'll all look back on Gay Hell, Michigan and question whether it really happened.
But it did.
It really really did.
@elijahdaniel I can confirm that this actually happened— SAM F (@SAM F) 1560802483
If you want to send your own message, you can display your PRIDE for one low price and get a "3 x 5 Feet Gay Pride Rainbow Flag with 10 Pack Pride mini Flags on sticks," available here.
You can also declare your RESISTance with this t-shirt while also supporting Pride Live! and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, available here.
RESIST Pride Live! teeHEARSAY/by NIHLO