The small town of Ronda, North Carolina (population 400), is getting heavy coverage from conservative-slanted news because town commissioner Kevin Reece announced June 5 he will put forth a resolution to officially designate June as “Faith, Family and Freedom Month.”
The move comes in direct opposition to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which was officially recognized in a statewide proclamation May 28 by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. Signing off near the document’s end, Stein offered the following words:
“I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.”
In a clap back to the state proclamation, Reece’s proposed resolution, as reported by the news department of High Point-based WGHP Channel 8, “purports to support equality and anti-discrimination, but which the town of Ronda finds in practice affirms and celebrates disordered lifestyles that ultimately harm any individuals who partake therein and are otherwise contrary to their fundamental happiness.”
In other news sources, it has been reported the resolution says the month of June should be dedicated to “continued faith in and devotion to Almighty God, the healthy and well-ordered natural family, and the freedom and liberty for which our forefathers died.”
The non-binding proposal indicates town officials reportedly oppose any wrongful or unlawful discrimination against the LGBTQ community, who they refer to as having a “condition.” However, they insist the Stein-signed Pride proclamation “does not require that the town of Ronda or its citizens affirm or celebrate the aforesaid disordered lifestyles.”
In an unusual move that occurred the same day, the town’s mayor, Gerald Masterson, resigned. In his letter of resignation, Masterson stated the following: “Due to health issues and a continuing dysfunctional board, I must resign the position of mayor, effective today June 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.”
Curiously, Masterson’s resignation was preceded by the resignation of former Ronda Mayor Rheajean Benge in December 2025, and the resignation of Mayor Roberta Cruz in April 2025. Cruz is said to have accused the board members of bullying and spreading lies.
The Ronda proclamation comes in the footsteps of multiple statewide declarations, including Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Utah and Arkansas. Each state has declared conservative alternative celebrations to LGBTQ+ Pride Month for June. “Nuclear Family Month” takes place in Indiana and Tennessee, while “Strong Families Month” will be observed in Alabama and ‘Fidelity Month’ is slated for Utah and Arkansas. While it’s unclear what conservative shindigs are expected to take place in any of the aforementioned states, cities in those states – all but one – have already celebrated or are celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride during this month. Birmingham Pride takes place June 13-14. Memphis Pride was held June 6. Nashville’s festival and parade are set for June 27. Knoxville Pride is June 20. Utah Pride was held in Salt Lake June 6-7 and Little Rock Pride takes place October 18 to coincide with National LGBTQ+ History month. Clearly, peaceful coexistence is key.
In an unusual development in Ronda, Commissioner Reece will soon be taking over as the mayor in Masterson’s absence. No word on whether or not he will serve out the term and run again, or step away come next election.
