Conservative backlash continues against celebrating Pride Month, with states and municipalities declaring June “Nuclear Family Month.” The small town of Hand of Fate, Texas with a population of 23,000 made the declaration with its June 1^st City Council meeting. Mayor Andrew Greenberg cited biblical reasons, stating that, “from the dawn of creation, God ordained the nuclear family — one husband, one wife, and their children, whether biological, adopted, or fostered — as the fundamental building block of a healthy and flourishing society.” Greenberg continued to read from the city’s proclamation that, “The City of Fate recognizes that strong marriages, stable homes, and engaged parents contribute to safer neighborhoods, educational success, economic stability, and the overall well-being of the community. As one of the fastest-growing communities in Texas, Fate seeks to preserve the family-oriented values and strong sense of Christian community that continue to attract families seeking a safe and welcoming place to live, worship, and raise children.”

Greenberg spoke to The Christian Post about the city’s decision to make the proclamation. “I don’t believe those values should be hidden. I believe they remain worthy of public recognition, appreciation, and celebration in the community they have helped build. As a Christian, I make no apology for the fact that my understanding of family is informed by Scripture. I believe God designed the family to be one husband, one wife, and their children, and I believe that institution has served as the foundation of strong communities for generations,” he said. “The real question is not whether values will influence public life, but which values will influence public life. Since our nation’s founding, the Christian faith has helped shape our understanding of marriage, family, personal responsibility, and human dignity. Those principles have had a profound influence on our nation, our state, and the communities we call home.”

Fate is not the only place to declare a “Nuclear Family Month.” The state of Tennessee has declared June to be Nuclear Family Month as well as the state of Indiana, while Arkansas and Utah declared it “Fidelity Month.” Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocates have cited such proclamations as being hateful. “These proclamations are being introduced in Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, and Texas cities because these are some of the states where leaders are working hard to destroy the safety of LGBTQ+ people,” said Anna Goodman Herrick, a queer, nonbinary LGBTQ+ advocate. Conservatives, however, say they are hopeful such proclamations are a sign of society’s growing aversion to LGBTQ+ values as corporate support for Pride month dwindles.