Gov. Andy Beshear recognizes June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month in Kentucky and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the LGBTQ+ community, his office announced Monday.
Beshear previously signed a similar proclamation in 2021, which was the first time June was proclaimed as Pride Month in state history.
Pride Month is globally recognized in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which was a major catalyst for the LGBTQ+ movement. Across Kentucky, cities are celebrating with festivals and events, including Lexington’s recent 2026 Pride Festival.
Beshear’s proclamation recognizes the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community and commits the state to continue building “a more inclusive commonwealth.”
“I believe all children are children of God — no exceptions, no asterisks. I made a pledge to fight for every single Kentuckian, every single day,” Beshear said. “LGBTQ+ community deserves to have their rights protected, and I will always stand firm on my values of compassion, empathy and doing what’s right to protect them.”
Throughout his time in office, Beshear has positioned himself as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. He was the first sitting governor to speak at the annual statewide Fairness Rally at the Capitol in 2020 and has attended every rally since taking office.
Beshear has also vetoed multiple pieces of legislation passed by the GOP-dominated General Assembly that targeted LGBTQ+ people.
In 2023, he vetoed a bill that banned access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. And after Beshear signed an executive order in 2024 banning conversion therapy on youths, he vetoed legislation during the 2025 session that overturned that executive order and banned Medicaid from covering gender-affirming health care.
Both bills eventually became law because of the state legislature’s override of Beshear’s vetoes.
Beshear’s advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community has been recognized on the national level.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a group that works to elect “pro-choice” and “pro-equality” candidates, honored him at its annual Champagne Brunch in April with the Allyship Award.
