June 28, 2026
Happy “Nuclear Family Month!” How Some States Are Hijacking Pride
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RSS Feed We’re recording this episode as we get ready to celebrate the annual Pride March here in New York City, a huge parade steeped in history, going back to the 1969 police raid on the Stonewall on this very date, June 28th. But did you know that Pride Month isn’t recognized nationally this year, nor any year where a Republican is president, going back to 1999 when Pride month was first established by President Clinton. In fact, several states have even chosen counter programming for the month, labeling June as Nuclear Family Month, Strong Families Month, or even Fidelity Month.
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00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey, that folks. It is Sunday, June twenty eighth, and happy Pride. Yes, you're in the midst of Pride month, but today is a big day all over the country with pride celebrations. But don't tell that to the governors of Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Utah, or Arkansas. And also don't tell that to the President of the United States. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. We're in the middle of New York, so pride. We're inundated with pride in a way here that I think certainly growing up I wasn't and a lot of people around the country aren't. But this is a huge day here in New.
00:00:37
Speaker 2: York, Yes, and our kids are growing up in and all around it, and we love it. In fact, we're going to be heading out to take in a bit of the parade later today with all of our kids in tow In fact, we're having a little pre party here at the apartment before everyone heads out, because it is a day of celebrating love. Whatever that looks like to you.
00:00:57
Speaker 1: You know what. People would take issue with that, but that's right. That's the basis of the holiday that goes back in history. We'll get into a little bit here, but Barrows, it never leads with that when people talk about what Pride Month is, it is a celebration of love.
00:01:10
Speaker 3: But you never hear that it's so sad, because never hear it first.
00:01:14
Speaker 2: You know. We actually just got the opportunity to sit down for I Do Part two, another podcast that we host, and it's all about love the second time around, and we got to talk to Captain Sandy from Below Deck and her wife.
00:01:27
Speaker 3: But they were talking.
00:01:28
Speaker 2: About that people get so focused on the sex part of it and they don't focus on the love part of it.
00:01:35
Speaker 3: And if everybody could just.
00:01:36
Speaker 2: Take the sex out of it, Fine, you don't understand it, Fine, it grosses you out, Fine, it's not what you're into.
00:01:42
Speaker 3: That's all okay. But if you can just focus on the.
00:01:46
Speaker 2: Love part of it, it might change the way you view this month and maybe view the parades and the excitement and the joy. And there's a lot of joy that you see expressed during this month and during this parade here in New York City.
00:02:00
Speaker 1: Usually more than I can deal with it.
00:02:03
Speaker 2: It's and you're surrounded by women and other i would say, gay men, and we have some heterosexual men who join the group sometimes too. Look, it's inclusive, it's fun.
00:02:16
Speaker 1: I don't care what you say. It's a good times. It is joy, it is and it is frankly Pride. I don't see people celebrate love like this and many other relationships in this way because this is a love that people have been telling them they shouldn't have, that is unnatural and they've had to fight for. And when you have to fight for a role, you do have a different attitude and a different level of celebration when it comes to and yes, I'm there for the fun. It's a damn good time. I dare anybody to come with us to the Pride parade celebrations today and not go, Holy hell, this is a hoot.
00:02:55
Speaker 3: It is and look, it's funny you actually said that.
00:02:58
Speaker 2: I never thought about this, and that to take away from the struggle, and we'll get into it or any of the hate and the continued criticism that so many different groups get, but certainly gay groups get in varying degrees from varying places and people. But anyone who's been in a relationship that isn't conventional, and you and I would fit that one hundred percent an interracial couple. Anyone who knows what it feels like to be told your love isn't natural, your love isn't normal, your love isn't accepted. You can understand why this month and a parade and a display of that love is important.
00:03:34
Speaker 1: And there is the challenge. You mean, yes, historically, all right, we haven't had to face the challenges that the Love Versus Virginia couple did. Right, it was literally illegal and you could die for being in an interracial relationship. We, however, and I think a lot of people do ropes. It comes with shame. If your love doesn't look like what some group in Alabama is telling you. Love and marriage, family it's supposed to look like, it's supposed to look like a very traditional thing, and what you're divorced. And that means nope, you're not. This is no longer family values, you're no longer of the right.
00:04:12
Speaker 3: You're part of the problem.
00:04:13
Speaker 1: Yeah, you get labeled if it does, if it's not a certain thing. And here's the thing, none of us have this traditional thing. It's just some people think they have ownership of it and they can tell everybody else what to do. So in that respect, Robes. This day is a celebration of anybody's love that was ever challenged as not being legit. So yeah, everybody should be celebrating today. And yes it's Pride month, where there are particular reasons that we have. Today in particular is such a big deal. But we're going to get into here in a second, Robes. I didn't realize there was this much of a movement. I guess I haven't paid attention, but a lot of states are pushing back and trying to reclaim in their minds, but also rename prior month into something else. I did not know there was this much of a movement of a game.
00:05:03
Speaker 3: I didn't either. I didn't either.
00:05:05
Speaker 2: You put it together and I was like, oh, my goodness, my goodness. And you know what, all these people making all these movements to undermine or to a race, or to undo any of the progress made about acceptance. You know what, these new generations of kids. You can think one way and then your kid comes out and says another. I mean, even look at Elon Musk dealing with a child of his who thinks very differently than he does, who has come out as trance. Like, look, I do hope it doesn't seem like that's swaying him. Perhaps, But I do think a lot of times when people have these hard fast rules about what's supposed to be, sometimes life has a way of showing you that your love is bigger than you think it is.
00:05:48
Speaker 1: You know it's and it's too bad. I hate to hear this, you know, I'm looking. I was really, Look, this just seems mean, and it seems mean spirited. Even if you don't what agree or whatever, Let him have a month. Just let them have a month. If you can't. You got eleven others. Okay, black people, we got February. Okay, you got ten others. But just let them have a month. But it just because it seems mean spirited. This is Pride Month. I didn't realize this either, babe. Pride Month is not, of course, not a federal holiday, but it is recognized federally every single year by every single president with an executive order. And when I say every single president Robes, I meant every single Democratic president. I didn't realize we have not had a Republican president to sign an executive order in which they recognize.
00:06:39
Speaker 3: It's just sad.
00:06:40
Speaker 1: People have their beliefs. I'm okay with that, I guess right, and you can be opposed. I mean you have to leave room for that. There are good people who, for whatever reason they have and it's maybe it's based in religion that are opposed to homosexuals and homosexuality and this whole idea of it. Now it gets a little deeper and a little little more upsetting robes when they say in some way LGBTQ LGBTQ plus community is some kind of way inundating or changing society, or in some way perverse or in some that type of language, as if having this community is a part of the American culture is a problem or taking away or we're getting away from something.
00:07:25
Speaker 3: That's I've always had. I've always been confused.
00:07:28
Speaker 2: I guess might be the best way to put it for me on the argument against accepting a group of people for who they are. So if you do it in the name of religion and you use the Bible, I have a problem with that. Yes, you can go back to I understand the Old Testament and sodom and gamoor and all of this stuff, But what would Jesus do? Can anyone argue that Jesus wouldn't be hanging among the people who everyone casts stones at. That's exactly what he did. He accepted them, he loved them, he brought them along.
00:08:01
Speaker 1: What's the argument why this is different from what Jesus would do?
00:08:05
Speaker 2: They think it's they think it's morally wrong, and the Bible says women men shouldn't lie with men, and they just have this procreation and this they go back to the Old Testament.
00:08:13
Speaker 3: I mean, that's where you get it from. And so there's that.
00:08:16
Speaker 2: And then number two, I just want to say, like in general, what's the problem. I mean, at what point, Like the best neighbors I could possibly have would be gay neighbors, Like they tend to understand how much they have to deal with, and they tend to be just. I just have had the expensive, lovely, creative, conscientious, good folks like you don't have like gay gangs going out and like causing problems and like creating violent episode, Like what is your issue?
00:08:47
Speaker 3: Like it's a moral they're spreading love, but mostly.
00:08:51
Speaker 1: They think their arguments that they're spreading something else that in some way are infiltrating our children early on in our schools and whatever else there are. I hear those things and I'm saying you can robe. You can teach your child whatever you want to teach your child, but you don't have to do it by putting down another group. I'm saying, you can say whatever you want, teach your child that the man and the woman are the foundation of the home and the household, and this is what it should be and everything else. But you see that group over there, they do it a different way, and nothing's wrong with that, and you should accept that. I'm saying, we don't have to put them down and say you should not be exposed, otherwise you're gonna do.
00:09:29
Speaker 3: They think it's contagious.
00:09:31
Speaker 1: I do think the language sounds like that.
00:09:33
Speaker 3: They believe that being gay is contagious.
00:09:36
Speaker 1: It does. It sounds some of the language sounds like that. And you try to leave room for people's religious beliefs, but it comes with respect, and I think that's the part that ends up getting getting missed in a lot of this. So Yes, Big Day, Pride Day. I guess the biggest issue for us today, I say us, and I just mean me, is what I'm wearing to the no because you all got all this rainbow. We're in Soho looking for rainbow stuff.
00:10:00
Speaker 3: I've got some rainbow paint if you want.
00:10:02
Speaker 1: To put it on your face. Okay, you will not see that photo later. It's just but it is the reason today. Yes, we got Pride Month, so there's a very specific reason and it is based right here in New York City. Robes. And this is a to say, a gay mecca. It sounds a little crazy, but it's one of the things. Robes. I think anybody coming to New York, if you're making a visit places, I would tell them to go. You need to go to the nine to eleven Memorial, You need to go to Stonewall in I just think Robes, this is one of the places you need to stop and understand. This is a historic place that really changed the course of history for the LGBTQ plus community in this country and certainly in New York. So that is why today is a big deal. It all started at the Stonewall.
00:10:45
Speaker 2: Inn that's right in the West Village, which is also just a fun place to visit in Manhattan period, just with the bars and the restaurants. And yes, you can see where the Friends Building is and where Sarah Jessica Parker's stoop was and you lost.
00:10:59
Speaker 3: It on all that in the city.
00:11:01
Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's a popular destination, but the stone Wall In is among the landmarks you should visit.
00:11:06
Speaker 3: There was a police raid there exactly.
00:11:08
Speaker 2: I actually didn't realize it was to the day June twenty eighth today, nineteen sixty nine. Demonstrations went on for days, but the police raided it.
00:11:16
Speaker 3: And look, it's a monument. The Stone Wall In is.
00:11:20
Speaker 2: A monument, a national monument, a National historic landmark.
00:11:24
Speaker 1: It is. And this place is just everything that is when it took off robes and that time, you couldn't walk down the street holding hands, no with someone of the same sect. You couldn't be dressed a certain way, you couldn't hang out openly in a gay bar. So they had this great this was a safe place, the stone Wall in fifty three Christopher Street. Right, It's just it was a hangout. They raided and you know what, the gay community pushed back. Yeah, and they fought back, and these were clashes and they were violent, they were ugly at times, but it started a movement robes from that moment and then the next year on the anniversary San Francisco, Chicago. I think it wasn't certainly new York, these celebrations, these marches took place, and here we are all.
00:12:02
Speaker 3: These till just hearing you say that.
00:12:04
Speaker 1: Still is happening and this has become for politics or other big When what year was it with the Supreme Court and the gay marriage.
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Which it was twenty fifteen. I think twenty fifteen.
00:12:18
Speaker 1: I thought that was when things like that have happened in the movement. Yes, this is the place that people go.
00:12:24
Speaker 2: And you know what, just half a block away is Maurice Crisis, which is a place that I introduced you to first, but it also sometimes they get serious down there. This is a gay singing bar just a few steps away from the stonewall in and this is where, yes, traditionally, for so many years gay people have been able to come and sing and communally join. And so if yes, thus heterosexuals come and and join, they do remind you every now and then the sacredness of that place.
00:12:51
Speaker 1: I have to say, Maurice Crisis is the gayest place I've ever been about and.
00:12:56
Speaker 3: One of the funnest places you've ever been in your life.
00:12:59
Speaker 1: Put those two together. That is not sweetheart. There have been a straight black male friends of mine. I recommend you gotta go by the wall in.
00:13:10
Speaker 3: Crisis.
00:13:11
Speaker 1: It is a cool, special place, and after you've been in there a couple of times, you do start to get it and respect that you're in somebody else's space right now. And I'm gonna respect it. It is a really really cool place.
00:13:24
Speaker 2: They just they let you know the history and they let you know the solemnity of it, even in the midst of fun and singing.
00:13:30
Speaker 3: And I appreciate that.
00:13:34
Speaker 2: So.
00:13:34
Speaker 1: Yes, I didn't realize though, Robes, Yes, we got pride. We have a Pride March going on here. They call it a Pride Parade in San Francisco, but it's called a Pride March here. I didn't realize though. Sometimes this has even gotten I say, a little controversial. This is just a little aside. But there's a different, like a separate celebration today called the Queer March or something, because they think the Pride March has gotten to corporate. Wow, because it's gotten so big and so corporate. At the same time, you got people putting together Pride March who are saying they are losing major corporate sponsors because of President Trump.
00:14:12
Speaker 4: Wow, and the DEEI push and like some people are just they're afraid to give money to it and to support it because they're afraid they're going to lose some sort of federal funding or some sort of deal they need approved by the government in some way.
00:14:24
Speaker 3: That is so concerning. You know what, I didn't realize President Clinton he is the one. Yes, you know what, that's awesome.
00:14:32
Speaker 2: I did not know that President Clinton is the president who was established by Executive Order Pride Month back in nineteen ninety nine.
00:14:39
Speaker 3: Did not realize that it was Clinton who did it.
00:14:42
Speaker 1: And it has continued every year except the year that there is a Republican in the White House. So it's not a no federal legislation, there's no law or anything on the book. So every year it's just like with a Black History Month as well, there's a proclamation that is signed. Every president signs that one Republican and Democrat on the Black History but no Republicans have signed the executive order to recognize federally. So as far as our federal government goes, it's not recognizing that this is Pride Month at all.
00:15:12
Speaker 2: Wow, just an unnecessary slap in the face. So folks who have fought hard for protection and freedom to try.
00:15:22
Speaker 1: To leave space, Babe, for people's religious beliefs and where they come off. But some of this just seems mean. But stay here, folks, it gets meaner. There are things being done in certain states to take Pride Month without actually saying they're taking it. To stay here.
00:15:46
Speaker 2: Welcome back everyone to Amy and TJ. While we're celebrating Pride Month and about to set out to go participate and not participate in, but to observe and enjoy the Pride March that will be happening all around us.
00:16:02
Speaker 1: You did that for me, right in case people are heying that I was participating.
00:16:06
Speaker 2: We'll be celebrating along with and so we're doing that here in New York and certainly that's happening all across this country.
00:16:12
Speaker 3: But something else is going on in a few.
00:16:14
Speaker 2: Particular states that Babe, I was completely unaware of. So in Indiana and in Tennessee they celebrate Nuclear Family Month.
00:16:25
Speaker 3: Wow, that's got a ring to it.
00:16:28
Speaker 1: And you see what they're getting at. Right, you're doing it in June. You got a lot of months you can do that, but they're doing it in June. Obviously that it's this is hasn't even veiled, is it or but look.
00:16:38
Speaker 2: This is kind of this is this is sad to me again. If this is in the name of religion, my god, this is so hateful. This is not loving, This is not inclusive, This is judgmental, this is righteous. They actually describe nuclear Family Month as a way to celebrate family of one husband, one wife and buy illogical adopted or fostered children between the husband and wife. How many people does that exclude? And what isn't that the opposite of what we should be doing?
00:17:11
Speaker 1: Well, it excludes a lot. But yes, traditionally in this country, our households look like a man and a woman and kids.
00:17:21
Speaker 2: I think that's awesome. I love that for them, it's amazing.
00:17:25
Speaker 1: But that's the problem, Ropes. We can't the group that is encouraging that and pushing that isn't inclusive of anything that doesn't look like that. And that is where we This is where we haven't come.
00:17:37
Speaker 3: What about single moms, what about single dads.
00:17:41
Speaker 1: It's just sad.
00:17:43
Speaker 2: Sometimes it's not even your own doing or your own choosing. It just life happens, and it's hard, and it's not what we wish it could be or what we want for ourselves or for our children, but we do the best we can.
00:17:55
Speaker 3: It's sad.
00:17:57
Speaker 1: Everybody understands what you're talking about. And plenty of people because most people got good sense and they got life experience, they know how this works. And there are plenty of people in a one husband, one wife, biological kid environment that need to get the hell out of there right now because damage is being done to them by having that. Like we talk about that being the only thing that's relevant.
00:18:19
Speaker 2: Let's talk about abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, all the things that go on in some of those seemingly perfect families.
00:18:26
Speaker 1: Just so lack of love.
00:18:27
Speaker 3: Sometimes you went to the extreme difference.
00:18:30
Speaker 1: Yes, you say that, but it is something wrong with two dudes raising a little boy who's heterosexual by the way. Yeah, and a loving environment.
00:18:43
Speaker 2: No, the answer is no. But why can't we accept that we'd rather have?
00:18:47
Speaker 1: But this is the thing I'm trying to accept that some people think that's not the way to go, Like we can, we shouldn't we accept that people think about it differently. The problem is we don't respect yes, that other people are thinking about it differently, yes, and have another way. That is the issue. I don't take any any issue with anybody for religious reasons thinking that is the way it should be.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: I got No, that's fine.
00:19:08
Speaker 2: That's how you choose deliver to impose it on other people and then declare them disgusting, immoral, horrific people because you don't think what you think.
00:19:17
Speaker 3: Now you've got Now, I've got an issue.
00:19:20
Speaker 1: In Alabama, they got another name.
00:19:21
Speaker 3: For their It's not Pride Month in Alabama.
00:19:23
Speaker 2: No, it's Strong Families Month.
00:19:27
Speaker 3: No, you're trying too hard. That come on, I want a weak Families.
00:19:33
Speaker 2: Month because that is honestly, most families we're barely hanging on. That's just the truth that some implication that these people have figured it out. Please share us, share with us your special sauce. It's not easy, folks, We're all trying. But yes, it's described as homes led by a father and mother, providing children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed throughout life.
00:19:56
Speaker 3: Amen, I love that for everyone.
00:19:59
Speaker 1: There is no disagree We have no disagreement. But a home's led by a by two parents. You can say that too, baby. It says father and mother, a home led by a strong parent, a successful parent, a disciplining parent. I'm saying there there are wonderful kids out there who were raised in a single family home. We don't we don't, we don't choose it. We don't say this is the way it should be, and we don't promote it. To throw shame on it is the situation. It's not recognizing that people have different circumstances in life. Man, that is the problem.
00:20:35
Speaker 3: Easy from your pedestal.
00:20:38
Speaker 1: But there, that's so weird that they think they're on a pedestal just because I am in a marriage, not because I'm in a loving marriage or a caring marriage or a successful marriage. What was that we were talking about recently, Bunny exo and yes, ten years a marriage? Can you have a successful marriage that ends after ten years? Can you still say it was successful? Maybe they built something together. Can you have a successful marriage. I'm not here to judge, but I think Utah and Arkansas'll figured it out. This is the best. God.
00:21:10
Speaker 2: They called it Fidelity Month. What Utah in Arkansas they don't have Pride month. They have Fidelity Month. And they like to celebrate faith, country and family.
00:21:22
Speaker 1: So yes, and this was what's Sarah Huckaby, the governor there, she put out, Uh, this is on social media she said, yep, another red status counter programming Pride Month. So I said it was veiled. That's not veiled. That's being very clear about what they're trying to do. There has been a Family Month legislation. It has been introduced in Congress. It didn't go anywhere. It came from a Republican from Illinois. Her name is Mary Miller.
00:21:47
Speaker 3: I think you would just say thank God for Chicago on that one. That might be why it failed.
00:21:51
Speaker 1: I wonder where she is, not near Chicago, I wonder where her district is. But it didn't go anywhere. But that line from the legislation is the problem. That's the problem.
00:22:02
Speaker 2: Okay, this is from her, from her legislation, from Representative Mary Miller. I just want to make sure no one thinks this is coming from anyone but her. She said, Americans are inundated with Sorry, pervert. I can't talk perverse because that's such a hard thing for me to say before Pride Month.
00:22:20
Speaker 3: Perverse.
00:22:21
Speaker 2: Pride Month displays and events throughout the month of June that denigrate the nuclear family.
00:22:26
Speaker 3: And that is where I take issue.
00:22:28
Speaker 2: Why does someone else's family denigrate yours?
00:22:32
Speaker 1: Because they believe that if there's this movement, and people start to accept that that is normal or okay, or acceptable or even good, that that in some way takes away from the goal ultimate goal in their minds of being this mommy, daddy, biological.
00:22:50
Speaker 2: Small minded, because guess what, you can still have all sorts of different types of families that can all be successful, especially when they're so when those families aren't supported, that does make it harder. That does make it more difficult for the children in that family, for the parents in that family to lead in beautiful and gentle and peaceful and loving ways. You make it harder for those kids to have successful lives because you make them feel like there's something they should be ashamed of, that is sad, that is not loving. That's what blows my mind that that can't be acknowledged. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it. But not accepting it and calling it perverse and actually saying it threatens your way of life, that's when it gets scary.
00:23:47
Speaker 1: But Robes, a lot of this is political talk, and I encourage everybody maybe we should train change the name Robes, so maybe we should think about it a little differently. But this is a celebrat this month is a celebration of love, and if we stop trying to.
00:24:04
Speaker 3: Take the sex out of it, I guess that's it. Take the second. Actually, Captain Sandy really nailed it for me when she said that to us the other week. I thought, Ah, that's what it is.
00:24:14
Speaker 1: We should repost her interview this morning. I thought about it when you mentioned it. I hadn't thought about her and that interview. We just did, and we should because it was on the ID part too. Yes, we should try to put it up on this feed today and let folks see it, because yes, we talked about plenty of other things about their relationship, but Robes, that was a highlight, Like you say, what, and.
00:24:35
Speaker 2: Look, her wife was in a heterosexual relationship with the man, and both of them are very, very very Christian. In fact, Captain Sandy said the number one thing for her in finding a wife and finding a partner was that they loved God.
00:24:48
Speaker 1: That first.
00:24:48
Speaker 3: Yeah, and her wife now.
00:24:51
Speaker 2: Actually was heavily involved in the church with her husband, and it was really difficult for her to acknowledge that she was gay.
00:24:58
Speaker 3: And so I just thought that story was so intrying.
00:25:00
Speaker 2: Because there are religious ties to everything about their story and how it was difficult for this to actually become what it is.
00:25:06
Speaker 3: But they are so beautiful, so in love.
00:25:09
Speaker 2: Been together for years now, and a shining example of what maybe people are missing when they when they're quick to throw stones about what they think a gay relationship.
00:25:18
Speaker 1: We didn't. I didn't think about this. We should. We're going to try, folks to get it posted immediately after this one. That's a good win to post robes for that reason. We'll get the right title up. But that that was she should do that you should hear from her today. It was very simple and I just and for a lot of people, robes, if you just get go hang around some gay folks. Yeah, just go really and I understand a lot of folks haven't been exposed. It would just go hang around with gay folks.
00:25:44
Speaker 3: You're gonna have a great time.
00:25:45
Speaker 1: Don't today because they're gonna be a little much. If we need to ease people into LGBTQ plus community, this is going to be a lot for some. But it is. It's joy. It's a hell of a day. We look forward to it. What should I wear? Last thing I chat? You know, I should get no all the girls on You've got.
00:26:02
Speaker 3: A couple T shirts that I think would work.
00:26:05
Speaker 2: T shirts yeah, with some with some fun messaging, some inclusive messaging.
00:26:09
Speaker 1: Okay, but if I don't do that, what is a how does a heterosexual male dress going to pride? You know what?
00:26:15
Speaker 2: Maybe counter like just kind of be like in neutrals so that, like we can, you can just let the rainbow shine.
00:26:21
Speaker 1: All black men. Yes, hi, folks, I always appreciate you. I hope you are having a good start to your Sunday. If you get a chance to enjoy pride, please please do so. But we always appreciate you spending a little time with us. I'm TJ on Math and my dear me robot. Talk soon.
Speaker 1: Hey, that folks. It is Sunday, June twenty eighth, and happy Pride. Yes, you're in the midst of Pride month, but today is a big day all over the country with pride celebrations. But don't tell that to the governors of Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Utah, or Arkansas. And also don't tell that to the President of the United States. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. We're in the middle of New York, so pride. We're inundated with pride in a way here that I think certainly growing up I wasn't and a lot of people around the country aren't. But this is a huge day here in New.
00:00:37
Speaker 2: York, Yes, and our kids are growing up in and all around it, and we love it. In fact, we're going to be heading out to take in a bit of the parade later today with all of our kids in tow In fact, we're having a little pre party here at the apartment before everyone heads out, because it is a day of celebrating love. Whatever that looks like to you.
00:00:57
Speaker 1: You know what. People would take issue with that, but that's right. That's the basis of the holiday that goes back in history. We'll get into a little bit here, but Barrows, it never leads with that when people talk about what Pride Month is, it is a celebration of love.
00:01:10
Speaker 3: But you never hear that it's so sad, because never hear it first.
00:01:14
Speaker 2: You know. We actually just got the opportunity to sit down for I Do Part two, another podcast that we host, and it's all about love the second time around, and we got to talk to Captain Sandy from Below Deck and her wife.
00:01:27
Speaker 3: But they were talking.
00:01:28
Speaker 2: About that people get so focused on the sex part of it and they don't focus on the love part of it.
00:01:35
Speaker 3: And if everybody could just.
00:01:36
Speaker 2: Take the sex out of it, Fine, you don't understand it, Fine, it grosses you out, Fine, it's not what you're into.
00:01:42
Speaker 3: That's all okay. But if you can just focus on the.
00:01:46
Speaker 2: Love part of it, it might change the way you view this month and maybe view the parades and the excitement and the joy. And there's a lot of joy that you see expressed during this month and during this parade here in New York City.
00:02:00
Speaker 1: Usually more than I can deal with it.
00:02:03
Speaker 2: It's and you're surrounded by women and other i would say, gay men, and we have some heterosexual men who join the group sometimes too. Look, it's inclusive, it's fun.
00:02:16
Speaker 1: I don't care what you say. It's a good times. It is joy, it is and it is frankly Pride. I don't see people celebrate love like this and many other relationships in this way because this is a love that people have been telling them they shouldn't have, that is unnatural and they've had to fight for. And when you have to fight for a role, you do have a different attitude and a different level of celebration when it comes to and yes, I'm there for the fun. It's a damn good time. I dare anybody to come with us to the Pride parade celebrations today and not go, Holy hell, this is a hoot.
00:02:55
Speaker 3: It is and look, it's funny you actually said that.
00:02:58
Speaker 2: I never thought about this, and that to take away from the struggle, and we'll get into it or any of the hate and the continued criticism that so many different groups get, but certainly gay groups get in varying degrees from varying places and people. But anyone who's been in a relationship that isn't conventional, and you and I would fit that one hundred percent an interracial couple. Anyone who knows what it feels like to be told your love isn't natural, your love isn't normal, your love isn't accepted. You can understand why this month and a parade and a display of that love is important.
00:03:34
Speaker 1: And there is the challenge. You mean, yes, historically, all right, we haven't had to face the challenges that the Love Versus Virginia couple did. Right, it was literally illegal and you could die for being in an interracial relationship. We, however, and I think a lot of people do ropes. It comes with shame. If your love doesn't look like what some group in Alabama is telling you. Love and marriage, family it's supposed to look like, it's supposed to look like a very traditional thing, and what you're divorced. And that means nope, you're not. This is no longer family values, you're no longer of the right.
00:04:12
Speaker 3: You're part of the problem.
00:04:13
Speaker 1: Yeah, you get labeled if it does, if it's not a certain thing. And here's the thing, none of us have this traditional thing. It's just some people think they have ownership of it and they can tell everybody else what to do. So in that respect, Robes. This day is a celebration of anybody's love that was ever challenged as not being legit. So yeah, everybody should be celebrating today. And yes it's Pride month, where there are particular reasons that we have. Today in particular is such a big deal. But we're going to get into here in a second, Robes. I didn't realize there was this much of a movement. I guess I haven't paid attention, but a lot of states are pushing back and trying to reclaim in their minds, but also rename prior month into something else. I did not know there was this much of a movement of a game.
00:05:03
Speaker 3: I didn't either. I didn't either.
00:05:05
Speaker 2: You put it together and I was like, oh, my goodness, my goodness. And you know what, all these people making all these movements to undermine or to a race, or to undo any of the progress made about acceptance. You know what, these new generations of kids. You can think one way and then your kid comes out and says another. I mean, even look at Elon Musk dealing with a child of his who thinks very differently than he does, who has come out as trance. Like, look, I do hope it doesn't seem like that's swaying him. Perhaps, But I do think a lot of times when people have these hard fast rules about what's supposed to be, sometimes life has a way of showing you that your love is bigger than you think it is.
00:05:48
Speaker 1: You know it's and it's too bad. I hate to hear this, you know, I'm looking. I was really, Look, this just seems mean, and it seems mean spirited. Even if you don't what agree or whatever, Let him have a month. Just let them have a month. If you can't. You got eleven others. Okay, black people, we got February. Okay, you got ten others. But just let them have a month. But it just because it seems mean spirited. This is Pride Month. I didn't realize this either, babe. Pride Month is not, of course, not a federal holiday, but it is recognized federally every single year by every single president with an executive order. And when I say every single president Robes, I meant every single Democratic president. I didn't realize we have not had a Republican president to sign an executive order in which they recognize.
00:06:39
Speaker 3: It's just sad.
00:06:40
Speaker 1: People have their beliefs. I'm okay with that, I guess right, and you can be opposed. I mean you have to leave room for that. There are good people who, for whatever reason they have and it's maybe it's based in religion that are opposed to homosexuals and homosexuality and this whole idea of it. Now it gets a little deeper and a little little more upsetting robes when they say in some way LGBTQ LGBTQ plus community is some kind of way inundating or changing society, or in some way perverse or in some that type of language, as if having this community is a part of the American culture is a problem or taking away or we're getting away from something.
00:07:25
Speaker 3: That's I've always had. I've always been confused.
00:07:28
Speaker 2: I guess might be the best way to put it for me on the argument against accepting a group of people for who they are. So if you do it in the name of religion and you use the Bible, I have a problem with that. Yes, you can go back to I understand the Old Testament and sodom and gamoor and all of this stuff, But what would Jesus do? Can anyone argue that Jesus wouldn't be hanging among the people who everyone casts stones at. That's exactly what he did. He accepted them, he loved them, he brought them along.
00:08:01
Speaker 1: What's the argument why this is different from what Jesus would do?
00:08:05
Speaker 2: They think it's they think it's morally wrong, and the Bible says women men shouldn't lie with men, and they just have this procreation and this they go back to the Old Testament.
00:08:13
Speaker 3: I mean, that's where you get it from. And so there's that.
00:08:16
Speaker 2: And then number two, I just want to say, like in general, what's the problem. I mean, at what point, Like the best neighbors I could possibly have would be gay neighbors, Like they tend to understand how much they have to deal with, and they tend to be just. I just have had the expensive, lovely, creative, conscientious, good folks like you don't have like gay gangs going out and like causing problems and like creating violent episode, Like what is your issue?
00:08:47
Speaker 3: Like it's a moral they're spreading love, but mostly.
00:08:51
Speaker 1: They think their arguments that they're spreading something else that in some way are infiltrating our children early on in our schools and whatever else there are. I hear those things and I'm saying you can robe. You can teach your child whatever you want to teach your child, but you don't have to do it by putting down another group. I'm saying, you can say whatever you want, teach your child that the man and the woman are the foundation of the home and the household, and this is what it should be and everything else. But you see that group over there, they do it a different way, and nothing's wrong with that, and you should accept that. I'm saying, we don't have to put them down and say you should not be exposed, otherwise you're gonna do.
00:09:29
Speaker 3: They think it's contagious.
00:09:31
Speaker 1: I do think the language sounds like that.
00:09:33
Speaker 3: They believe that being gay is contagious.
00:09:36
Speaker 1: It does. It sounds some of the language sounds like that. And you try to leave room for people's religious beliefs, but it comes with respect, and I think that's the part that ends up getting getting missed in a lot of this. So Yes, Big Day, Pride Day. I guess the biggest issue for us today, I say us, and I just mean me, is what I'm wearing to the no because you all got all this rainbow. We're in Soho looking for rainbow stuff.
00:10:00
Speaker 3: I've got some rainbow paint if you want.
00:10:02
Speaker 1: To put it on your face. Okay, you will not see that photo later. It's just but it is the reason today. Yes, we got Pride Month, so there's a very specific reason and it is based right here in New York City. Robes. And this is a to say, a gay mecca. It sounds a little crazy, but it's one of the things. Robes. I think anybody coming to New York, if you're making a visit places, I would tell them to go. You need to go to the nine to eleven Memorial, You need to go to Stonewall in I just think Robes, this is one of the places you need to stop and understand. This is a historic place that really changed the course of history for the LGBTQ plus community in this country and certainly in New York. So that is why today is a big deal. It all started at the Stonewall.
00:10:45
Speaker 2: Inn that's right in the West Village, which is also just a fun place to visit in Manhattan period, just with the bars and the restaurants. And yes, you can see where the Friends Building is and where Sarah Jessica Parker's stoop was and you lost.
00:10:59
Speaker 3: It on all that in the city.
00:11:01
Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's a popular destination, but the stone Wall In is among the landmarks you should visit.
00:11:06
Speaker 3: There was a police raid there exactly.
00:11:08
Speaker 2: I actually didn't realize it was to the day June twenty eighth today, nineteen sixty nine. Demonstrations went on for days, but the police raided it.
00:11:16
Speaker 3: And look, it's a monument. The Stone Wall In is.
00:11:20
Speaker 2: A monument, a national monument, a National historic landmark.
00:11:24
Speaker 1: It is. And this place is just everything that is when it took off robes and that time, you couldn't walk down the street holding hands, no with someone of the same sect. You couldn't be dressed a certain way, you couldn't hang out openly in a gay bar. So they had this great this was a safe place, the stone Wall in fifty three Christopher Street. Right, It's just it was a hangout. They raided and you know what, the gay community pushed back. Yeah, and they fought back, and these were clashes and they were violent, they were ugly at times, but it started a movement robes from that moment and then the next year on the anniversary San Francisco, Chicago. I think it wasn't certainly new York, these celebrations, these marches took place, and here we are all.
00:12:02
Speaker 3: These till just hearing you say that.
00:12:04
Speaker 1: Still is happening and this has become for politics or other big When what year was it with the Supreme Court and the gay marriage.
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Which it was twenty fifteen. I think twenty fifteen.
00:12:18
Speaker 1: I thought that was when things like that have happened in the movement. Yes, this is the place that people go.
00:12:24
Speaker 2: And you know what, just half a block away is Maurice Crisis, which is a place that I introduced you to first, but it also sometimes they get serious down there. This is a gay singing bar just a few steps away from the stonewall in and this is where, yes, traditionally, for so many years gay people have been able to come and sing and communally join. And so if yes, thus heterosexuals come and and join, they do remind you every now and then the sacredness of that place.
00:12:51
Speaker 1: I have to say, Maurice Crisis is the gayest place I've ever been about and.
00:12:56
Speaker 3: One of the funnest places you've ever been in your life.
00:12:59
Speaker 1: Put those two together. That is not sweetheart. There have been a straight black male friends of mine. I recommend you gotta go by the wall in.
00:13:10
Speaker 3: Crisis.
00:13:11
Speaker 1: It is a cool, special place, and after you've been in there a couple of times, you do start to get it and respect that you're in somebody else's space right now. And I'm gonna respect it. It is a really really cool place.
00:13:24
Speaker 2: They just they let you know the history and they let you know the solemnity of it, even in the midst of fun and singing.
00:13:30
Speaker 3: And I appreciate that.
00:13:34
Speaker 2: So.
00:13:34
Speaker 1: Yes, I didn't realize though, Robes, Yes, we got pride. We have a Pride March going on here. They call it a Pride Parade in San Francisco, but it's called a Pride March here. I didn't realize though. Sometimes this has even gotten I say, a little controversial. This is just a little aside. But there's a different, like a separate celebration today called the Queer March or something, because they think the Pride March has gotten to corporate. Wow, because it's gotten so big and so corporate. At the same time, you got people putting together Pride March who are saying they are losing major corporate sponsors because of President Trump.
00:14:12
Speaker 4: Wow, and the DEEI push and like some people are just they're afraid to give money to it and to support it because they're afraid they're going to lose some sort of federal funding or some sort of deal they need approved by the government in some way.
00:14:24
Speaker 3: That is so concerning. You know what, I didn't realize President Clinton he is the one. Yes, you know what, that's awesome.
00:14:32
Speaker 2: I did not know that President Clinton is the president who was established by Executive Order Pride Month back in nineteen ninety nine.
00:14:39
Speaker 3: Did not realize that it was Clinton who did it.
00:14:42
Speaker 1: And it has continued every year except the year that there is a Republican in the White House. So it's not a no federal legislation, there's no law or anything on the book. So every year it's just like with a Black History Month as well, there's a proclamation that is signed. Every president signs that one Republican and Democrat on the Black History but no Republicans have signed the executive order to recognize federally. So as far as our federal government goes, it's not recognizing that this is Pride Month at all.
00:15:12
Speaker 2: Wow, just an unnecessary slap in the face. So folks who have fought hard for protection and freedom to try.
00:15:22
Speaker 1: To leave space, Babe, for people's religious beliefs and where they come off. But some of this just seems mean. But stay here, folks, it gets meaner. There are things being done in certain states to take Pride Month without actually saying they're taking it. To stay here.
00:15:46
Speaker 2: Welcome back everyone to Amy and TJ. While we're celebrating Pride Month and about to set out to go participate and not participate in, but to observe and enjoy the Pride March that will be happening all around us.
00:16:02
Speaker 1: You did that for me, right in case people are heying that I was participating.
00:16:06
Speaker 2: We'll be celebrating along with and so we're doing that here in New York and certainly that's happening all across this country.
00:16:12
Speaker 3: But something else is going on in a few.
00:16:14
Speaker 2: Particular states that Babe, I was completely unaware of. So in Indiana and in Tennessee they celebrate Nuclear Family Month.
00:16:25
Speaker 3: Wow, that's got a ring to it.
00:16:28
Speaker 1: And you see what they're getting at. Right, you're doing it in June. You got a lot of months you can do that, but they're doing it in June. Obviously that it's this is hasn't even veiled, is it or but look.
00:16:38
Speaker 2: This is kind of this is this is sad to me again. If this is in the name of religion, my god, this is so hateful. This is not loving, This is not inclusive, This is judgmental, this is righteous. They actually describe nuclear Family Month as a way to celebrate family of one husband, one wife and buy illogical adopted or fostered children between the husband and wife. How many people does that exclude? And what isn't that the opposite of what we should be doing?
00:17:11
Speaker 1: Well, it excludes a lot. But yes, traditionally in this country, our households look like a man and a woman and kids.
00:17:21
Speaker 2: I think that's awesome. I love that for them, it's amazing.
00:17:25
Speaker 1: But that's the problem, Ropes. We can't the group that is encouraging that and pushing that isn't inclusive of anything that doesn't look like that. And that is where we This is where we haven't come.
00:17:37
Speaker 3: What about single moms, what about single dads.
00:17:41
Speaker 1: It's just sad.
00:17:43
Speaker 2: Sometimes it's not even your own doing or your own choosing. It just life happens, and it's hard, and it's not what we wish it could be or what we want for ourselves or for our children, but we do the best we can.
00:17:55
Speaker 3: It's sad.
00:17:57
Speaker 1: Everybody understands what you're talking about. And plenty of people because most people got good sense and they got life experience, they know how this works. And there are plenty of people in a one husband, one wife, biological kid environment that need to get the hell out of there right now because damage is being done to them by having that. Like we talk about that being the only thing that's relevant.
00:18:19
Speaker 2: Let's talk about abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, all the things that go on in some of those seemingly perfect families.
00:18:26
Speaker 1: Just so lack of love.
00:18:27
Speaker 3: Sometimes you went to the extreme difference.
00:18:30
Speaker 1: Yes, you say that, but it is something wrong with two dudes raising a little boy who's heterosexual by the way. Yeah, and a loving environment.
00:18:43
Speaker 2: No, the answer is no. But why can't we accept that we'd rather have?
00:18:47
Speaker 1: But this is the thing I'm trying to accept that some people think that's not the way to go, Like we can, we shouldn't we accept that people think about it differently. The problem is we don't respect yes, that other people are thinking about it differently, yes, and have another way. That is the issue. I don't take any any issue with anybody for religious reasons thinking that is the way it should be.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: I got No, that's fine.
00:19:08
Speaker 2: That's how you choose deliver to impose it on other people and then declare them disgusting, immoral, horrific people because you don't think what you think.
00:19:17
Speaker 3: Now you've got Now, I've got an issue.
00:19:20
Speaker 1: In Alabama, they got another name.
00:19:21
Speaker 3: For their It's not Pride Month in Alabama.
00:19:23
Speaker 2: No, it's Strong Families Month.
00:19:27
Speaker 3: No, you're trying too hard. That come on, I want a weak Families.
00:19:33
Speaker 2: Month because that is honestly, most families we're barely hanging on. That's just the truth that some implication that these people have figured it out. Please share us, share with us your special sauce. It's not easy, folks, We're all trying. But yes, it's described as homes led by a father and mother, providing children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed throughout life.
00:19:56
Speaker 3: Amen, I love that for everyone.
00:19:59
Speaker 1: There is no disagree We have no disagreement. But a home's led by a by two parents. You can say that too, baby. It says father and mother, a home led by a strong parent, a successful parent, a disciplining parent. I'm saying there there are wonderful kids out there who were raised in a single family home. We don't we don't, we don't choose it. We don't say this is the way it should be, and we don't promote it. To throw shame on it is the situation. It's not recognizing that people have different circumstances in life. Man, that is the problem.
00:20:35
Speaker 3: Easy from your pedestal.
00:20:38
Speaker 1: But there, that's so weird that they think they're on a pedestal just because I am in a marriage, not because I'm in a loving marriage or a caring marriage or a successful marriage. What was that we were talking about recently, Bunny exo and yes, ten years a marriage? Can you have a successful marriage that ends after ten years? Can you still say it was successful? Maybe they built something together. Can you have a successful marriage. I'm not here to judge, but I think Utah and Arkansas'll figured it out. This is the best. God.
00:21:10
Speaker 2: They called it Fidelity Month. What Utah in Arkansas they don't have Pride month. They have Fidelity Month. And they like to celebrate faith, country and family.
00:21:22
Speaker 1: So yes, and this was what's Sarah Huckaby, the governor there, she put out, Uh, this is on social media she said, yep, another red status counter programming Pride Month. So I said it was veiled. That's not veiled. That's being very clear about what they're trying to do. There has been a Family Month legislation. It has been introduced in Congress. It didn't go anywhere. It came from a Republican from Illinois. Her name is Mary Miller.
00:21:47
Speaker 3: I think you would just say thank God for Chicago on that one. That might be why it failed.
00:21:51
Speaker 1: I wonder where she is, not near Chicago, I wonder where her district is. But it didn't go anywhere. But that line from the legislation is the problem. That's the problem.
00:22:02
Speaker 2: Okay, this is from her, from her legislation, from Representative Mary Miller. I just want to make sure no one thinks this is coming from anyone but her. She said, Americans are inundated with Sorry, pervert. I can't talk perverse because that's such a hard thing for me to say before Pride Month.
00:22:20
Speaker 3: Perverse.
00:22:21
Speaker 2: Pride Month displays and events throughout the month of June that denigrate the nuclear family.
00:22:26
Speaker 3: And that is where I take issue.
00:22:28
Speaker 2: Why does someone else's family denigrate yours?
00:22:32
Speaker 1: Because they believe that if there's this movement, and people start to accept that that is normal or okay, or acceptable or even good, that that in some way takes away from the goal ultimate goal in their minds of being this mommy, daddy, biological.
00:22:50
Speaker 2: Small minded, because guess what, you can still have all sorts of different types of families that can all be successful, especially when they're so when those families aren't supported, that does make it harder. That does make it more difficult for the children in that family, for the parents in that family to lead in beautiful and gentle and peaceful and loving ways. You make it harder for those kids to have successful lives because you make them feel like there's something they should be ashamed of, that is sad, that is not loving. That's what blows my mind that that can't be acknowledged. You don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it. But not accepting it and calling it perverse and actually saying it threatens your way of life, that's when it gets scary.
00:23:47
Speaker 1: But Robes, a lot of this is political talk, and I encourage everybody maybe we should train change the name Robes, so maybe we should think about it a little differently. But this is a celebrat this month is a celebration of love, and if we stop trying to.
00:24:04
Speaker 3: Take the sex out of it, I guess that's it. Take the second. Actually, Captain Sandy really nailed it for me when she said that to us the other week. I thought, Ah, that's what it is.
00:24:14
Speaker 1: We should repost her interview this morning. I thought about it when you mentioned it. I hadn't thought about her and that interview. We just did, and we should because it was on the ID part too. Yes, we should try to put it up on this feed today and let folks see it, because yes, we talked about plenty of other things about their relationship, but Robes, that was a highlight, Like you say, what, and.
00:24:35
Speaker 2: Look, her wife was in a heterosexual relationship with the man, and both of them are very, very very Christian. In fact, Captain Sandy said the number one thing for her in finding a wife and finding a partner was that they loved God.
00:24:48
Speaker 1: That first.
00:24:48
Speaker 3: Yeah, and her wife now.
00:24:51
Speaker 2: Actually was heavily involved in the church with her husband, and it was really difficult for her to acknowledge that she was gay.
00:24:58
Speaker 3: And so I just thought that story was so intrying.
00:25:00
Speaker 2: Because there are religious ties to everything about their story and how it was difficult for this to actually become what it is.
00:25:06
Speaker 3: But they are so beautiful, so in love.
00:25:09
Speaker 2: Been together for years now, and a shining example of what maybe people are missing when they when they're quick to throw stones about what they think a gay relationship.
00:25:18
Speaker 1: We didn't. I didn't think about this. We should. We're going to try, folks to get it posted immediately after this one. That's a good win to post robes for that reason. We'll get the right title up. But that that was she should do that you should hear from her today. It was very simple and I just and for a lot of people, robes, if you just get go hang around some gay folks. Yeah, just go really and I understand a lot of folks haven't been exposed. It would just go hang around with gay folks.
00:25:44
Speaker 3: You're gonna have a great time.
00:25:45
Speaker 1: Don't today because they're gonna be a little much. If we need to ease people into LGBTQ plus community, this is going to be a lot for some. But it is. It's joy. It's a hell of a day. We look forward to it. What should I wear? Last thing I chat? You know, I should get no all the girls on You've got.
00:26:02
Speaker 3: A couple T shirts that I think would work.
00:26:05
Speaker 2: T shirts yeah, with some with some fun messaging, some inclusive messaging.
00:26:09
Speaker 1: Okay, but if I don't do that, what is a how does a heterosexual male dress going to pride? You know what?
00:26:15
Speaker 2: Maybe counter like just kind of be like in neutrals so that, like we can, you can just let the rainbow shine.
00:26:21
Speaker 1: All black men. Yes, hi, folks, I always appreciate you. I hope you are having a good start to your Sunday. If you get a chance to enjoy pride, please please do so. But we always appreciate you spending a little time with us. I'm TJ on Math and my dear me robot. Talk soon.