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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation this month designating June as "Marriage and Family Month," drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates who say it deliberately excludes same-sex families during Pride Month.
Pillen signed the proclamation alongside the Nebraska Family Alliance and the Nebraska Catholic Conference, calling it "the most important proclamation I've ever had the privilege to sign."
The proclamation defines "God's design" for marriage and family as a nuclear family consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted or fostered children, describing that structure as "the foundation of every society since the creation of the world." It also states that when families weaken, society must compensate through "costly inferior policy approaches such as welfare systems, schools taking over the role of parents and police and justice systems imposing discipline which children should receive in the home."
The Nebraska Family Alliance, a conservative Christian policy organization, framed the signing as a direct counterpoint to Pride Month.
"At a time when many states celebrate 'pride,' Nebraska is celebrating God's design for the family," the organization wrote on its Facebook page, calling it "the first of its kind in our state's history."
Laura Strimple, communications director for the governor's office, said in a written statement that Pillen has received "overwhelming support" from Nebraskans for his June proclamation.
“Prioritizing values, which includes promotion and protection of families, has been one of the core pillars of his administration from Day One,” Strimple wrote. “Nebraskans know this, and they share that priority, which is why they’re so grateful for leaders who have the courage to speak up for faith and family.”
Nebraska is not alone. The governors of Indiana and Tennessee rebranded June as Nuclear Family Month, celebrating units made up of "one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children." In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed it Strong Families Month. The governors of Utah and Arkansas called it Fidelity Month. Republican lawmakers in at least four other GOP-controlled states have introduced legislation this year calling for June to be Fidelity Month.
Sam Petto, communications director for the ACLU of Nebraska, said the proclamation carries no force of law but sends a clear message about whose families the governor recognizes.
“The governor has been very clear that he's got one particular view on what an acceptable family is. And families with two moms and two dads don't fit that picture,” Petto said. "I’d say none of this comes as a surprise to queer Nebraskans and their loved ones."
Petto said the timing was not accidental.
"The partners who were involved with it are very purposefully pitting it against pride," he said. "It certainly invites skepticism – any claim that it’s not an intentional slight or that the timing isn’t purposeful.”
The proclamation comes as national polling shows declining support for LGBTQ+ issues. A Gallup survey conducted in May found that 65% of Americans favor legal same-sex marriage — down six percentage points from a peak in 2022 and 2023 — and that the share viewing gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable is at its lowest point since 2016. Gallup attributed most of the decline to shifts among Republicans.
Petto, noting he hadn't seen the specific Gallup poll, said rhetoric from elected officials shapes public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ acceptance.
“I think people still take cues from elected officials. And so, without question, that does move the needle,” he said. “That's why it's important that we have folks who are celebrating all of our communities, who are not attacking families or policies or programs that serve all Nebraskans.”
Dozens of pride events are actively taking place across Nebraska this month, including in smaller communities like Sidney, Alliance, North Platte, Norfolk and Aurora. Petto said LGBTQ+ Nebraskans live in every community across the state.
“Queer and trans Nebraskans live in every corner of the state. All kinds of families should be accepted, recognized, and celebrated,” he said. “There's no good reason to draw a line between some and others, as the governor did with his proclamation.”