Tennessee kicked off its first “Nuclear Family Month” on June 1, thanks to a joint resolution signed by Republican Governor Bill Lee.
The resolution defining, defending and honoring the nuclear family affirms that the union of one man and one woman, and their children, has been the basic building block of society and prosperity for both Tennessee and the United States of America, as a whole.
What’s more, the nuclear family is “God's perfect design for humanity and is aligned with the long-held traditional values of Tennessee,” the resolution proclaims:
“The nuclear family, consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children, is God's design for familial structure and has been the bedrock of society since the creation of the world.”
The resolution does not mention that June is also celebrated as “Pride Month” by the LGBTQ+ community, but it does state that “the nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation, and it is our responsibility to uplift, protect, and support values that help Tennessee prosper.”
Thus, in support of the nuclear family, the resolution declares:
“BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we join with the citizens of Tennessee in designating the month of June 2025 as ‘Nuclear Family Month’ and commend the noble endeavors of those who seek to protect and strengthen the traditional values of our State and country.”
In addition to professing pro-family values, the resolution also goes on to reject the values of organizations that are hostile to the nuclear family:
“Tennessee's values do not align with the humanistic, globalist ideologies of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and like-minded organizations that fight for population control through the means of promoting sterilization and abortion practices.”
The resolution, HJR 0812, was originally introduced in February 2025 but was not signed by Gov. Lee until April 9 of this year after the text was amended to update the year to 2026.
Statistics documenting the harm to children caused by being raised in fatherless homes are also presented in HJR 0812:
- 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances.
- 60% of youth suicides.
- 71% of high school dropouts.
- 85% of youths in prison.
Sullivan County Commission candidate Lakie Derrick, who helped write the resolution, told Tennessee’s WKRN News that the idea for the resolution was inspired by God after she became aware of a similar celebration in Italy:
“I first got this idea whenever I saw the Italian prime minister, and she dedicated June and had a nuclear family celebration.
“I saw that, and I thought, ‘Wow, if Italy can do that, why can’t we? Why can’t Tennessee?’ For about eight months, I felt God was just asking me, ‘Why can’t Tennessee?’”
Tennessee isn’t alone in honoring family and faith this June, as Newsweek explains:
“Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, has proclaimed June 2026 as ‘Fidelity Month,’ a state observance encouraging residents to renew their commitment to ‘God, family, community, and country.’
“The declaration comes as Pride Month celebrations begin across the United States, placing Arkansas among a handful of GOP-led states that have promoted alternative observances centered on religious and traditional social values.
“Cultivating fidelity to God, family, community, and country contributes to human flourishing and supports a healthy, stable, well-ordered society,” the Arkansas declaration says.
