Instead of celebrating Pride this June, several red states are observing a so-called 'Fidelity Month' promoting 'traditional values,' drawing outrage from rights groups. The governors of Utah and Arkansas have both declared June as Fidelity Month, championing 'god, family and country,' while other states including Tennessee, Alabama, and Indiana have adopted similar approaches under different names.
Utah's Shift Sparks Criticism
Utah Governor Spencer Cox's formal declaration read: 'A recent opinion poll of Americans showed that support for traditional values has significantly declined. A majority of Americans no longer esteem values like faith, family, patriotism or community involvement. Fidelity means dedication to faith, family and country... The survival of the United States depends on the shared bonds of faith, family and patriotism.'
Cox, who had previously signed Pride Month declarations during his first three years, has changed his tone since 2024. This shift has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, including local nonprofit group Project Rainbow Utah. 'It’s disappointing that a governor who makes “disagree better” his calling card is so openly dismissive of perspectives other than his own,' they said in a statement. 'Pride month is an important celebration that uplifts marginalized folks and gives them resources to survive and spaces where they can thrive. Recasting June as Fidelity Month, instead of Pride month, is a slap in the face for LGBTQ+ Utahns.'
Origins of Fidelity Month
The term 'Fidelity Month' was coined in 2023 by professor Robert P. George, director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. George was inspired by a poll showing declining rates of commitment to patriotism, religion, having children, and community involvement among Americans.
Arkansas and Other States Follow Suit
Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also announced her recognition of a Fidelity Month this week, stating that 'cultivating fidelity to God, family, community and country contributes to human flourishing and supports a healthy, stable, well-ordered society.' She argued that practices that 'encourage virtue, commitment, responsibility and shared moral foundations strengthen both individuals and their communities.'
Tennessee separately designated June as 'Nuclear Family Month' through a house joint resolution, stating: 'The nuclear family, consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children, is God’s design for familial structure and has been the bedrock of society since the creation of the world.' Indiana Governor Mike Braun also declared June 'Nuclear Family Month,' writing on social media: 'As a father of four and grandfather of seven, I have seen firsthand the impact that loving, committed families can have across multiple generations.' Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation officially declaring June as 'Strong Families Month,' saying, 'Strong families build a strong Alabama. Homes led by stable parents, a father and a mother, provide children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed.'
Broader Context
The declarations come as a new Gallup poll shows support for same-sex marriage and relationships in the U.S. has plateaued after more than two decades of consistent growth, with a notable decline among Republicans.
