In past years, Pride Month has taken on an almost religious significance for the Left. But a week into June, many of its heroes have yet to post about it on X.
Ten superstars of the Left, including Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former President Barack Obama, have not posted about Pride Month on X. When June rolled around in previous years, these Democrats did not hesitate to issue statements in support of their gay and trans constituents.
In the wake of her 2024 election loss, Harris has slowly reentered the public eye. The former vice president, however, has been silent about Pride Month on X, despite her previous vocal support of the LGBTQ+ movement. She posted five times in 2023 for Pride Month—including a post on June 1—and twice in 2024.
The Obamas and Clintons have been mute as well. Both couples poured in the effort campaigning against President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, catering particularly to LGBTQ+ groups. But neither the former presidents nor their politically involved wives have publicly acknowledged Pride Month on their X accounts, either personal or official.
The same can be said of former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden. The former president, despite his health problems, has posted multiple times on X in June, but not about Pride Month. On June 4, Biden wished his wife a happy birthday, and on June 2, he posted about the tragic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was prompt to post a June 1 message the last two years. Her 2024 post featured a picture of Warren wearing a large, rainbow feather boa that she proudly acknowledged, saying, “This month, we celebrate the progress we’ve made toward building a more inclusive nation for our LGBTQ+ community and we renew our fight to create a world where everyone is truly equal. And yes – this is a new boa!”
But the progressive who regularly posts about reproductive rights and has been lauded a “gay icon” by those on the Left has failed to make any acknowledgment on social media of the biggest celebration of the LGBTQ community.
Another strange absence is Pete Buttigieg. Under Biden, Buttigieg served as the first openly gay Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate in U.S. history. But the staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights has been silent, both on X and Instagram.
Other prominent left-wing figures, however, have taken to X about Pride Month. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., all posted about Pride Month on June 1 or 2. AOC posted a promotional video on X featuring drag queens and gay couples, who made comments like, “Trump has to go down, man. We got to do everything in our power to stand up and show that we are all in solidarity.”
The list of prominent Democrats who have not posted about Pride Month, despite a history of doing so more quickly in years past, is indicative of a broader vibe shift. Major corporations have also de-emphasized their support for Pride Month. IBM, Google, Mastercard, Target, and Macy’s, for example, are quietly pulling branding and promotion of LGBTQ events and products as the Trump administration has taken aim at DEI and LGBTQ initiatives via executive orders.