White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has no intention to officially recognize Pride Month.
“There are no plans for a proclamation for the month of June,” Leavitt said at a White House press briefing Tuesday. “But I can tell you this president is very proud to be a president for all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed.”
The reporter who asked the question, MAGA podcaster Alec Lace, suggested that the White House could name June “Nuclear Family Month” rather than honoring LGBTQ Americans.
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President Bill Clinton first named June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 in a tribute to the Stonewall riots of June 1969, which helped launch the gay rights movement. Pride Month was expanded to include bisexual and transgender Americans under President Barack Obama.
Trump declined to officially proclaim June Pride Month during his first presidency—although in 2019, he tweeted in support of Pride Month.
“As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation,” Trump said. “My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!”
However, since returning to office, Trump has made what he calls “gender ideology” among his top priorities. Trump has eradicated DEI programs from the federal government, sought to prevent trans women from competing in women’s sports and also to eliminate trans people from the military.
Many corporations and brands are planning to scale back their celebrations of Pride Month in this new political climate, according to CNN.
Nevertheless, many LGBTQ Americans are still boisterously celebrating June. Pride Month events in Washington, D.C.—including a parade and a street festival—are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees, according to ABC News.
