Several Republican governors have issued proclamations rebranding June with conservative labels such as “nuclear family month” or “fidelity month,” seen as a backlash to LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. The governors of Indiana and Tennessee have declared June “nuclear family month,” defined as celebrating families consisting of “one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children.” Alabama’s governor, Kay Ivey, proclaimed “strong families month,” stating that “homes led by a father and mother provide children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed.”
Utah and Arkansas have designated June as “fidelity month,” emphasising fidelity to faith, country and family. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on X that the move was “counter-programming Pride month.” The governors have not explicitly stated that these labels replace Pride, but the message is clear to most observers. Republican lawmakers in at least four other states have introduced similar legislation.
LGBTQ+ advocates say the proclamations will not dampen Pride events. Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride, noted that his organisation has 42 events planned, adding: “It’s not lost upon LGBTQ people when elected leaders don’t recognize or value the visibility of the community.” Jordan Braxton, co-president of USA Prides, said: “You can call it whatever you want, but one thing you’re not going to do is take away our pride or take away our joy.”
The push comes amid an escalation in conservative attacks on transgender rights, same-sex marriage and Pride flags. A poll released this week found that a two-decade increase in acceptance of same-sex relationships has flattened, largely due to growing Republican opposition.
