In a statement that instantly went viral—and ignited a digital wildfire—former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (now identifying publicly as male, according to his own recent remarks) has declared that he will not be acknowledging or celebrating Pride Month this June, calling the LGBTQ+ celebration a “woke circus” and “a performative celebration of confusion over conviction.”
His statement has been met with fierce backlash and fervent support in equal measure—fueling what might become one of the most polarizing political stances of 2025.
“It’s Not About Hate, It’s About Hypocrisy”
Bondi released the statement via his X (formerly Twitter) account early June 1st:
“Pride Month isn’t about equality anymore. It’s a month-long performance of woke virtue signaling, corporate pandering, and cultural collapse. I refuse to take part in something that’s more about coercion than conviction.”
He went on to claim that “gender ideology” is being used to “indoctrinate children,” and that American institutions—from schools to churches to Fortune 500 companies—have become complicit in what he described as “the slow erasure of biological truth.”
To be clear: Bondi claims he doesn’t “hate anyone” but refuses to “participate in delusion.”
Critics were quick to point out that the line between criticism and outright discrimination is paper-thin—and Bondi has crossed it.
From Attorney General to Culture Warrior
Pam Bondi, who served as Florida’s AG from 2011 to 2019 and was a vocal Trump supporter during the 2020 election, has increasingly shifted from legal figure to full-blown conservative commentator. His pivot into culture war rhetoric isn’t exactly surprising, but this time, he’s diving headfirst into a debate with massive national consequences.
Conservative outlets like The Daily Wire and Newsmax rushed to amplify his message, while progressive voices from MSNBC, Teen Vogue, and GLAAD condemned the post as “dangerous,” “hateful,” and “a naked attempt to gain political relevance through outrage.”
The timing, of course, couldn’t be more charged: June is internationally recognized as Pride Month—a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community’s history, progress, and continuing fight for rights. For Bondi to dismiss the entire concept as “woke propaganda” is not just controversial. It’s a political grenade.
Supporters Say “He’s Right to Push Back”
Bondi’s supporters argue he’s standing up against the forced ideological compliance many Americans feel pressured to accept. Conservative influencer Matt Walsh wrote:
“Pam Bondi is saying what millions of Americans think but are too afraid to say. Pride Month has turned into a month-long lecture series on why you’re a bigot if you don’t clap hard enough.”
Others are praising Bondi for what they describe as “courage under fire,” claiming that corporate rainbow-washing and school curriculum shifts have gone “too far, too fast.”
A viral meme even featured Bondi’s face with the caption: “Not Every Month Has to Be a Parade.”
LGBTQ+ Advocates Warn of Real-World Harm
But LGBTQ+ organizations and mental health advocates see this rhetoric as a threat to safety and inclusivity.
Dr. Melinda Ortiz, a licensed therapist who works with LGBTQ+ youth, warned:
“Statements like Bondi’s reinforce the idea that it’s okay to treat LGBTQ+ identities as punchlines or political targets. The real-life impact? More bullying, more depression, and more suicide.”
GLAAD released a statement condemning Bondi’s remarks as “reckless, dehumanizing, and dangerous in a time when anti-LGBTQ+ violence is already surging.”
Social media platforms lit up with hashtags like #CancelPamBondi and #PrideIsNotPropaganda, as activists organized protests outside Bondi’s Florida residence.
What Comes Next?
Bondi’s refusal to participate in Pride Month celebrations may seem like just another headline in a hyper-polarized media landscape, but it speaks to deeper societal fractures. His rhetoric, while inflammatory, resonates with a growing segment of the population who feel alienated by what they view as “woke overreach.”
Whether this is a calculated political play or a genuine expression of belief, the effect is undeniable: more division, more outrage, and more viral clicks.
What’s harder to determine is whether this moment will galvanize voters—or simply pour gasoline on an already blazing cultural fire.
