On June 1, 2026, Gov. Josh Stein officially proclaimed June 2026 as “LGBTQ+ Pride Month” in the state of North Carolina. This marks the eighth year that June has been recognized as Pride month by North Carolina’s governor, with former Gov. Roy Cooper first proclaiming it as such in June 2018.
June is often celebrated as Pride Month to memorialize the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a vital tipping point in the gay civil rights movement in the United States. Initially, the last Sunday in June was celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” which eventually grew to month-long celebrations.
It wouldn’t be till 1999 that former President Bill Clinton nationally recognized June as Pride Month. . Former President Barack Obama officially declared the month as LGBT Pride Month during his term.
In his proclamation, Gov. Stein took note of 1,042 anti-LGBTQ incidents in 47 United States and the District of Columbia, including 128 acts of hateful vandalism, 76 violent assaults, 22 threats of violence and 15 attempts of arson, which marks a 5% increase since 2024.
Gov. Stein mentions Executive Order No. 24, which was an order of policies proclaimed by former Gov. Cooper in 2017. The policies prohibit discrimination, harassment and retaliation in state employment, state services and state contracts on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
This proclamation comes at a time when many governors are placing alternative celebrations in the month of June to counter Pride month.
Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas have revamped June as Nuclear Family Month, a celebration for families “consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children” as stated in a measure signed by Gov. Bill Lee in April.
Gov. Mike Braun tweeted a statement upon his proclamation of Nuclear Family Month in Indiana. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, this proclamation recognizes the important role families play in shaping the future of our state and our country.
Indiana will continue supporting policies that strengthen families and help the next generation thrive.”
Gov. Sarah Sanders proclaimed June as Fidelity Month in Arkansas in May, writing in the declaration, “Cultivating fidelity to God, family, community, and country contributes to human flourishing and supports a healthy, stable, well-ordered society.”
Gov. Stein ended his proclamation by reiterating the importance of cultivating a safe and supportive community environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community so North Carolina can be a state where people are free of discrimination, and be treated with respect and dignity.
