Republican senator Ted Cruz is facing fierce backlash after pushing to rebrand June, traditionally recognised as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in USA, as “Pro-Life Month”.
Cruz introduced a resolution on Tuesday (3 June) to the U.S. Senate proposing the new designation. The move, critics say, is a blatant attempt to overshadow Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and celebrates LGBTQ+ visibility, rights, and community resilience.
The Texas lawmaker’s “Life Month Resolution” aims to honour the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed federal abortion rights. Cruz said the proposal is meant to “recognise that every human life is a sacred gift from God”.
“Every human life is worthy of protection,” he stated. “It is especially incumbent upon Americans and lawmakers to protect the most vulnerable among us. Designating June as Life Month is a recommitment to the American principle that every life has dignity. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to swiftly pass this resolution.”
🌈 ‘June is Pride Month, Ted’
The backlash was swift and widespread across social media. Many viewed the proposal as a direct attempt to undermine LGBTQ+ recognition. One user wrote bluntly, “June is Pride Month, Ted Cruz.” Another commented, “Y’all can’t find anything better to focus on?”
“This is a distraction,” another critic argued. “Why not use this time to address real issues like budget reform or healthcare?” Others accused Cruz of misusing taxpayer resources: “Shut up, Ted. Can you actually spend time on stuff that matters or at least refund the pay checks you’ve cashed?”
⚖️ Backed by Anti-Abortion Groups
The resolution is supported by 22 anti-abortion organisations, including Alliance Defending Freedom, SBA Pro-Life America, and Americans United for Life — all of which advocate for conservative Christian legal and policy agendas.
Cruz’s proposal follows closely on the heels of a broader conservative campaign to roll back diversity and inclusion initiatives. Former President Donald Trump has targeted DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, and earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education proclaimed June to be “Title IX Month” instead of Pride Month.
Title IX is a civil rights law enacted in 1972 to prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs. Critics argue that while Title IX is important, repackaging it as a substitute for Pride Month is yet another move in a wider agenda to erase federal recognition of LGBTQ+ issues.
🚨 LGBTQ+ Rights Advocates Push Back
For LGBTQ+ advocates, the timing and framing of the “Life Month” resolution feels pointed. Pride Month, they say, is not just a celebration but a vital opportunity to spotlight the ongoing challenges queer communities face — including access to healthcare, legal protections, and safe spaces.
Attempts to undermine Pride with political resolutions are seen as part of a broader culture war aimed at erasing visibility and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Despite the controversy, Cruz’s resolution is not legally binding, and it’s unlikely to gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate. However, the optics — and the backlash — continue to fuel tensions in an already polarised political environment.
