Right-leaning activists in Dallas and Fort Worth are countering Pride Month initiatives by pushing to declare June “Life Month.”
“We are a culture and a nation founded on the right to life and liberty,” Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) told The Dallas Express. “Looking at what June has become as we’ve seen Pride parades — really they are parades of indoctrination breaking down the idea of the nuclear family, strong fathers and strong mothers, teaching Godly values to the next generation of Texans.”
“We’re not going to do what Republicans have historically done, which is go on the defense,” he continued. “We want to go on the offense and say, ‘No, let’s take back June.’”
“Pride in itself is abhorrent to God,” Schatzline told DX. “Rather than it taking place in our cities where we’re celebrating debauchery and the breaking down of the nuclear family — values that don’t represent Texas — we decided to celebrate life, teach our children to defend the unborn, celebrate strong families through adoption and foster care reform.”
In contrast, LGBTQ groups emphasize the importance of Pride Month in organizing efforts for equality.
“Pride is more than just a month of celebrations and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community,” GLSEN states. “It’s a protest and a fight for equality. It’s collaboration and support across other marginalized communities. It’s for our future and our safety.”
Schatzline helped organize marches in Dallas and Fort Worth earlier this week to commemorate the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe in 2022 allowed Texas to enforce its abortion ban that includes exceptions for when the life of the mother is at risk.
He said roughly 1,000 people showed up at each march, and an additional event was hosted in Waco. The lawmaker said the marches shared a positive, family-driven message.
The streets of Fort Worth are flooded tonight with REFORMERS rallying & praying for the unborn across America! JUNE IS LIFE MONTH! ? pic.twitter.com/pH2vJFYwc2
— Nate Schatzline (@NateSchatzline) June 23, 2024
Three local groups tied to the DFW-area Mercy Culture Church hosted the Sunday marches. For Liberty & Justice is a Christian group launched by Schatzline that helps citizens run for local leadership positions. Citizens for Life advocates against abortion and in favor of adoption reforms. Justice Reform aims to organize community efforts to counter human trafficking.
Schatzline said the first “Life Month” rally last year was held only in Dallas. He said he hopes this year’s expansion is only the beginning of what could become a national movement.
“We want to be a direct contrast of what Pride Month is and reframe it by saying June is Life Month,” he told DX.
