Fresno County adopted a resolution after a 3-2 vote on June 16 to recognize June as “Traditional Nuclear Family Month,” a move meant to align with “traditional” values but denounced by LGBTQ advocates as exclusionary. Supervisor Luis Chavez, whose family has f
On a June night in Central California, Fresno County’s Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to name June “Traditional Nuclear Family Month” — setting off a fight that’s landed squarely in the middle of Pride season.
The resolution. approved on June 16. frames the nuclear family as “God’s perfect design” and says it reflects Fresno’s “traditional” values. For many in the LGBTQ community. it arrived as Pride events were drawing people together just days earlier — including the Fresno Pride Parade. which brings 20. 000 people to the city’s Tower District.
Supervisor Luis Chavez. who was elected to the board in November 2024 and said he is due to take over as chair next year. called the vote an anomaly that should not be repeated. Chavez said his opposition wasn’t abstract. He told the board that his family has opened their home to foster children for the last seven years. including children who identified as lesbian. gay and at least one nonbinary child.
“It bothered me because this language specifically excluded the amazing foster parents that we have that just happened to be LGBTQ,” Chavez said.
Chavez also said he was the only Fresno County supervisor to attend this year’s Fresno Pride Parade. After attending the event barely a week earlier, he said the resolution felt divisive rather than unifying.
“Nobody is opposed to the quote unquote traditional family, I think a lot of folks come from that,” Chavez said. “The language that was used was just exclusionary and made it a point to marginalize and feel that we weren’t going to recognize LGBTQ folks in our community.”
Board chair Garry Bredefeld introduced the resolution, and he linked it to actions he said were taken in other states. Bredefeld said he brought the idea forward after the governors of Tennessee and Indiana signed proclamations declaring June “Nuclear Family Month” in their respective states. He argued the measure wasn’t meant to silence Pride.
“I think the LGBT movement is trying to force their agenda on other people, and this was a way of saying, ‘Hey, look, you can have your parade and your month, but we’re also going to recognize traditional families as well,’” Bredefeld said.
During the initial push for approval, not all supervisors were fully aligned. Supervisor Nathan Magsig moved to amend the resolution so it also recognized single parents, grandparents and foster parents. Magsig said the community needed to focus on what was most beneficial for children and future generations. acknowledging that “things happen in life.”.
Magsig’s amendment was adopted. But when Chavez asked for LGBTQ+ parents to be included, the request was denied — and Chavez said that cemented his “no” vote. The other opposing vote came from Supervisor Brian Pacheco, who declined to comment.
The resolution defines the “traditional nuclear family” as “one husband. one wife and any biological. adopted. or fostered children.” It also says “single mothers and fathers. grandparents. foster parents. and those parents that have joint custody” are “critically important to raising healthy children and are recognized for their sacrifice. hard work and devotion.”.
Advocates say that language can land as a warning sign for LGBTQ families. Jorge Reyes Salinas, communications director for Equality California, described the decision as alarming.
“It is alarming,” Salinas said. “It is scary for anyone who does not fit this mold that some people believe is the right mold to be in society.”
The resolution triggered tense debate during the meeting’s public comments, with several people speaking both in favor and against. One woman argued that every month should be family month, while another said there were many other issues — like healthcare — that should take priority.
Bredefeld said his intent was not to take away anyone’s ability to celebrate Pride. He described the approach as adding a separate recognition rather than replacing what already exists.
“I know people are kind of upset that it’s obviously the same month as Pride Month, but you kind of just sub it a little bit, saying, ‘You can celebrate, but we’re also going to celebrate,’” Bredefeld said.
Chavez said that framing missed the point. He argued that the county’s resolution was being used in a way that fails families who don’t fit the definition being offered by government.
“The fact that we are pretending like they don’t exist, that hurts our children, because it sends them the message that they’re not worthy of being recognized by a government entity for them being who they are,” Chavez said.
Reyes Salinas echoed that concern. “I think now more than ever, communities and voters need to pay attention, and we need to see our leaders for who they truly are,” she said.
Not everyone on the board agrees on how long the resolution was meant to last. There is disagreement between the supervisors over whether it is indefinite or limited to the last month. Bredefeld maintains each June going forward will be “Traditional Nuclear Family Month. ” but the resolution itself did not include wording saying it would be the case every year.
Chavez said he expects the fight to resurface next year, when he anticipates becoming board chair. He said he plans to resist any push for another resolution.
“An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere,” Chavez said.
In the end, the resolution passed on June 16, but the controversy it sparked has only widened. What was framed as a cultural recognition during Pride season has become. for many residents. a question about whether LGBTQ families are being welcomed — or pushed aside — by the government meant to represent everyone.
Fresno County Pride Month Traditional Nuclear Family Month LGBTQ Equality California Luis Chavez Garry Bredefeld Nathan Magsig Brian Pacheco Tower District foster parents