In “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the classic children’s book by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, the nasty Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” tries to stop Christmas in Whoville.
Disguised as a macabre Santa Claus, the Grinch proceeds to steal the Whos’ Christmas presents, decorations, and even their food while the Whos are asleep. Of course, as everyone who read the book or watched the movies knows, the lack of food and finery does not keep the Whos from celebrating Christmas, in the company of their families and friends. Realizing the error of their ways (does the Grinch have a gender?), the Grinch’s heart grows to a proper size and the Grinch returns the stolen loot.
Dr. Seuss’ masterpiece reminds me of the current efforts by contemporary Grinches to stop LGBTQ Pride Month in all its manifestations. They are encouraged by the apparent backlash against lesbian, gay, bisexual and especially transgender rights under the second Trump administration. The federal government, which used to light up the White House in rainbow colors, is now controlled by Christian nationalists who might agree with Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles’s comment that “homosexuality has no place in America.” Corporations that used to celebrate Pride when it was profitable have dropped all their support when Pride’s opponents threatened to boycott. Here in Florida, a newly passed anti-DEI law aimed at local governments threatens the existence of all future Pride events.
Red state governors, all Grinches, seek to abolish Pride Month in June by giving that month a new name and purpose. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee started by declaring June to be “Nuclear Family Month” in the Volunteer State. He was followed in this name game by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Fidelity Month), Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (Strong Families Month), Indiana Governor Mike Braun (also Nuclear Family Month) and Utah Governor Spencer Cox (also Fidelity Month). None of these proclamations include LGBTQ families. Religious Grinches like Tony Perkins rejoiced.
Our enemies are too quick to celebrate. Issuing a proclamation regarding the month of June does not abolish LGBTQ Pride, nor will it increase nuclear families or even marital fidelity in the respective states. Like all months, June is more than just Pride Month, and we can live with the competition. We had Pride before our federal and state governments saw fit to recognize it, and we will continue to have Pride now that they stopped doing so. Like the Whos in Whoville, LGBTQ people and our allies will continue to proclaim and celebrate LGBTQ Pride, even as polls show a decline in support, even in the five most LGBTQ-hostile states (Arkansas, Tennessee, Idaho, South Carolina, and my own state of Florida). Pride will continue to flourish, whether they like it or not.
