Bizarre Pride Coverage by the Media in 2023

Pride Month: Celebrating Diversity and Progress

Pride Month, the annual celebration of all things LGBT and beyond, has come and gone. All we have left now are the internet archives of Pride’s most devoted fans: the mainstream media.

Here are some of the strangest takes.

“We’re coming for your kids—kidding!”

The ‘coming for your children” chant has been used for years at Pride events, according to longtime march attendees and gay rights activists, who said it’s one of many provocative expressions used to regain control of slurs against LGBTQ people. https://t.co/2VvDAKyyWy

— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 28, 2023

Media Highlights

• NPR, “Ahead of Father’s Day, We’re Hearing Voices of Dads From Different Backgrounds”:
• CBS News, “Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Youth: Separating Medical Facts From Misinformation”:
• ABC News, “‘Genocidal’: Transgender People Begin to Flee States With Anti-LGBTQ Laws”:
• New York Times, “What Financial Planning Looks Like for L.G.B.T.Q. People”:
• Washington Post, “10 Recipes For Pride Month as Colorful as the Rainbow”:

Celebrating Achievements

The giant canvas pink triangle that is one of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride month symbols in San Francisco is bigger than ever this year. Volunteers said they are taking a stand for their rights amid a national pushback from conservative lawmakers. https://t.co/teT4iTOFxY

— The Associated Press (@AP) June 22, 2023

Media Coverage of Drag Performers

• NBC News, “Pride 30: Drag performers Who Made ‘Herstory'”:

This Pride Month is @DarcyDrollinger‘s first year as San Francisco’s official drag laureate. She takes the new position, in a year that has seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation introduced across the country. pic.twitter.com/8Bqw2CwUbi

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) June 25, 2023

Controversies and Challenges

• Washington Post, “LGBTQ+ Pride Month Reaches Its Grand Crescendo on City Streets From New York to San Francisco”:
• New York Times, “‘Padam Padam’: You Hear It and You Know It’s Pride”:
• MSNBC, “Drag Queens Describe a Pride Month Like No Other”:
• Bloomberg, “Pride Planners: How We’ll Celebrate Despite Anti-Drag, Anti-LGBTQ Laws”:
• ABC News, “Target Faces Criticism From Artists Involved With Pride Month Products Over Response to Boycott: ‘Quick to Fold'”:
• CNN, “Pentagon Cancels Drag Show at Air Force Base as Pride Month Begins”:

Media’s Favorite Villains

Drag activist Sister Roma was honored during an annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month ceremony in the state Capitol. She was welcomed with a standing ovation in both the Assembly and Senate, while some Republicans walked off in protest as Roma was recognized. https://t.co/ve7e2pIxGy

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) June 6, 2023

Congressional Republicans from Mississippi are demanding the Department of Veterans Affairs remove a temporary pride flag from the Biloxi National Cemetery, arguing its presence is disrespectful to veterans. https://t.co/ASseVzjxI3

— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 6, 2023

Throughout June, many Republicans including presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis have sharply criticized Pride celebrations, and some have resurfaced fights over same-sex marriage. https://t.co/aDUkw3u5dW

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 30, 2023

Opinion Pieces

• New York Times, “Yes, We’re in an L.G.B.T.Q. State of Emergency”:
• CNN, “Opinion: How to clap back against anti-LGBTQ attacks this Pride month”:

Business and Pride

• New York Times, “Gay Pride? There’s a Candle for That”:
• NPR, “LGBTQ+ Creatives Rely on Pride Month Income. This Year, They’re Feeling the Pinch”:

In recent years, businesses big and small have seen June as an opportune time to position themselves as inclusive and to show their support of LGBTQ+ communities with Pride Month campaigns. Brand allyship has come in the form of collaborations with queer influencers and creatives with significant online followings.

Until next year!