As a gay man, I know this might come as a surprise, or even offend some people, but I’ve been sitting with a feeling for a while now: Pride Month doesn’t feel right to me anymore.

Let me be clear: I’m proud of who I am. I’m grateful to the generations of LGBTQ+ people who fought for visibility, rights, and most importantly safety. But over time, Pride Month has shifted in tone in a grandiose manner. What was once a celebration of resilience and love has, in some obvious corners, started to feel performative, divisive, and often hostile.

In many places, Pride no longer feels like it’s about building bridges or honoring progress—it feels like a marketing campaign. Companies plaster rainbow flags on everything from sports teams to beer cans, while often doing little to support the LGBTQ+ community year-round. The authenticity has gotten lost and when celebration becomes commercialized, people start to question the purpose. Having an entire month is ostracizing the entire community and literally doing the exact opposite of what the original intention was meant to be for.

The truth is, a lot of people—gay and straight—feel uncomfortable during Pride Month, and not always for the reasons we assume. It’s not necessarily about homophobia. It’s about how aggressively the month is sometimes pushed, in ways that feel more about demanding affirmation than inviting understanding.

I’ve watched how Pride messaging can alienate people who might otherwise be open-hearted. I’ve heard friends say, “I don’t care who people love—I just don’t want it in my face for 30 straight days.” And while I don’t agree with that dramatic framing one-hundred percent, I also understand the exhaustion. Constant visibility can backfire if it starts to feel forced or overwhelming.

I think it’s okay to acknowledge that in many parts of the world, especially in the U.S., we’ve come a long way. Same-sex marriage is legal. LGBTQ+ people are visible in politics, entertainment, business, and beyond. While hate and discrimination still exist—and needs to be addressed—we’ve also earned the right to just be. We don’t always need a parade to prove it. Sometimes quiet dignity speaks louder than loud performances.

For me, pride isn’t about waving a flag or marching through the street anymore. It’s about living honestly, loving freely, and treating others with kindness, no matter who they are or how they identify. It’s about showing up for the people I care about, and expecting the same in return.

And maybe it’s time we allow space for that version of pride too, the quiet kind. The kind that doesn’t need a month, a hashtag, or a banner. Just room to be. Could you imagine that? Each year it feels as if Pride Month has become a gimmick and an antagonistic approach to rile up the American people.

When I was in college during the mid 2000’s in Dallas, Texas, pride was just a Sunday in September where everyone in the gay community and our allies gathered together for a day of celebration. It was a party for sure and great times were had, and there wasn’t an entire month of hatred from people on the Internet bashing our “choices” of who we were attracted to. Yes, because we all chose to be bullied and harassed in middle school, go through trauma, some losing relationships with family, and always having the fear of not being accepted. Come on. Nobody chooses that shit. As adults, reliving those dark times as we scroll Instagram and Facebook, seeing the horrific comments, is daunting and totally disturbing. I just do not believe there would be as much of that crap today if Pride Month wasn’t such a glamorized, drawn out event.

What I have witnessed over the past few years on social media is absolutely ridiculous. Pride month appears to be nothing but an excuse to get wasted and have the entire world make a mockery out of the community. The biggest thing that June Pride Month is doing is making people more angry and divided, again from what I’m observing. And the companies and people that are recognizing Pride are usually only in it for money and usually because it’s the cool thing to do. They don’t know the meaning or truly get why it’s important to celebrate how far the community has come in the last 10 years. It’s unnecessary attention and I guarantee you that if it was just a day or even a weekend, there would be way less drama and more peace in our daily lives.

If there’s any group of people that deserve recognition for an entire month, I feel those should be Veterans. Men and women who have fought for this country of ours who are living on the streets, suffering from mental illness and addiction. The very people who have chosen to leave their family and friends to fight for us, the very country we all take for granted too often. I feel as though Veterans don’t get enough credit for their sacrifices and unfortunate circumstances they have been through, which often leads to a life filled with pain and suffering. I wish everyone would just live life with a kind heart and if you don’t agree with something or someone, keep it to yourself and worry about you and your own family. Seems simple, huh? God bless to all those not able to live their lives authentically and those enduring hatred on a daily basis. I hope it gets better for all. I truly do. Pride should be a daily occurrence for all human beings. Living with integrity, honesty and a genuine heart is the best way for a healthy, happy and loving life. So, Happy Pride Year!

National Football League Logo – Pride 2025