June means pride month, with corporate entities and popular programming posting their support of the month and LGBTQ+ identities. The children’s show, “Sesame Street,” faced particular backlash for another year of celebrating the event. “Happy #PrideMonth from Sesame Street! Join us in celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ members of our community,” the PBS show aimed at young children wrote, with an image of the show’s characters’ colors stacked together in a rainbow. It is not the first time the show has acknowledged Pride month or faced backlash. In June 2021, the show introduced its first gay couple on the show, two gay men with a daughter. “Sesame Street has always been a welcoming place of diversity and inclusion. So I’m so excited to introduce Nina’s brother Dave, his husband Frank, and their daughter Mia to our sunny street. … I am so honored and humbled to have co-directed this important and milestone episode,” wrote show actor Alan Muraoka at the time. “Love is love, and we are so happy to add this special family to our Sesame family. Happy Pride to all!!!!”

“Guys, there is no universe in which it makes sense to message to children about sexual desires, regardless of worldview. Stop and think about what you’re doing,” wrote Pastor Josh Howerton. “This is literally a show meant for young children,” criticized Turning Point USA. The show is typically aimed at toddlers aged 2 to 4. Showrunners have often touted the show’s “inclusivity” and pushed for it to educate children on social and political issues, including encouraging the COVID vaccine for children, something some health experts have criticized as unnecessary or even risky.

“Sesame Street” isn’t the only children’s show that has celebrated Pride Month. Rachel Griffin Accurso, the popular YouTuber known as “Ms. Rachel” online is popular with toddlers and young children. In 2024, she posted a video on TikTok to celebrate Pride Month. “Happy Pride to all of our wonderful families and friends! This month and every month, I celebrate you! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re exactly who you are,” she said. “To those who are going to comment they can’t watch the show anymore because of this support, no worries and much love your way. God bless. I am not chasing fame or views. I’m standing strong in love.” Accurso has gone on to criticize ICE detention facilities publicly and encouraged children on her show to support immigrant children. “Ms. Rachel is an extremely popular YouTuber who makes content for babies and toddlers,” conservative commentator Matt Walsh wrote of Accurso in 2024. “She just posted a video celebrating Pride Month. This is a message to conservatives parents. She doesn’t want your business. You should respond accordingly.”