Republican governors designate June as nuclear family month or fidelity month
Governors in Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Utah and Arkansas have issued proclamations renaming June to emphasize traditional family structures. The measures coincide with annual Pride month observances. Several governors have not responded to questions about the timing of the proclamations.
The GuardianGovernors in five Republican-led states have issued proclamations designating June under alternative names focused on family structure. The governors of Indiana and Tennessee declared June “nuclear family month,” defined as units consisting of one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children.
Alabama’s governor issued a “strong families month” proclamation that states homes led by a father and mother provide children with necessary structure.
Arkansas governors designated June as “fidelity month,” emphasizing fidelity to faith, country and family. Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride, said the organization’s 42 planned events, including a 13 June parade, will proceed unchanged. Coleman stated that elected leaders’ decisions not to recognize the community are not lost on LGBTQ people.
” An organization promoting the concept was founded by Princeton University professor Robert P. George. Jordan Braxton, co-president of USA Prides, said organizations will continue events and that no one can take away community pride or joy. Marina Lowe of Equality Utah said positions recognizing faith and family need not conflict with Pride observances.
Every Democratic president since Bill Clinton has signed annual Pride proclamations; no Republican president has done so. Last year the U.S. Department of Education began calling June “Title IX month” and opened investigations into schools permitting transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identities.
