Lee Greenwood Sparks Uproar After Declaring He Won’t Celebrate Pride Month

Country music legend faces backlash after comments about “woke culture”

Country music veteran Lee Greenwood, best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.”, has ignited a storm of controversy after declaring he will not celebrate Pride Month this June. The 82-year-old singer, whose career spans more than five decades, made the statement in a short video posted to his official social media accounts last weekend. His remarks — in which he said “‘woke’ doesn’t deserve to be celebrated” — have triggered an avalanche of reactions from fans, critics, and fellow musicians.

In the video, Greenwood appears calm but firm as he addresses the camera. “This song will never be part of that,” he begins, referring to his most famous patriotic track. “I won’t be celebrating Pride Month. It’s not my place, and it’s not my message. I believe in freedom for all Americans — but celebrating what I see as ‘woke’ isn’t what this country was built on.”

The comment quickly went viral, sparking heated debates about patriotism, inclusion, and the fine line between free speech and cultural sensitivity.

A Polarizing Statement

Almost immediately, Greenwood’s post divided the public. Supporters praised him for “staying true to his beliefs” and standing against what they view as excessive political correctness. “Lee has always represented the America we grew up with — proud, strong, and traditional,” wrote one fan on Facebook. “He shouldn’t be forced to celebrate something that doesn’t align with his values.”

However, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies condemned the remarks as dismissive and harmful. “Pride Month isn’t about being ‘woke,’ it’s about visibility, equality, and human rights,” said activist Jordan Michaels from GLAAD. “When influential figures like Greenwood refuse to acknowledge that, it sends a damaging message — especially to young people in conservative areas who look to music as a source of hope.”

Several fellow country artists also weighed in. Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, who identifies as queer, shared a pointed response on Instagram: “Patriotism means loving your country enough to want freedom for everyone. You can’t sing about America while rejecting Americans.”

A Career Built on Patriotism

Born in California in 1942 and raised on his grandparents’ farm, Lee Greenwood began performing in the 1960s before achieving fame in the 1980s. His 1984 hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” became one of the most recognizable patriotic songs in American history, particularly during times of national crisis such as the Gulf War and after 9/11. The song’s rousing lyrics and unabashed love for America turned Greenwood into a symbol of conservative pride and national unity.

But his patriotic image has also tied him closely to right-leaning politics. Greenwood has performed at numerous Republican events, including presidential inaugurations, and has often expressed support for traditional American values. While he has generally avoided overt controversy, his recent comments suggest he is increasingly comfortable taking public stands on cultural issues.

“Lee Greenwood has always walked a fine line between artist and political icon,” says Nashville music historian Cheryl Whitman. “He’s a man who built his career on faith, family, and flag. To his fans, this stance fits perfectly. To his critics, it feels like a refusal to evolve with the times.”

The Backlash Builds

Following the viral video, Twitter and TikTok exploded with the hashtag #BoycottLeeGreenwood, with many users calling for his music to be pulled from radio stations and streaming playlists during Pride Month. Others, however, launched counter-hashtags such as #StandWithLee, framing the controversy as an issue of free speech.

Streaming data from Spotify and Apple Music reportedly show a short-term decline in Greenwood’s monthly listeners since the controversy began, though supporters argue that “cancel culture” won’t silence the star’s core fan base. “He’s speaking his truth,” wrote one fan. “That’s more American than anything else.”

At least two small-town radio stations in California and Massachusetts announced temporary pauses on airing his songs, citing the need to “listen to the community.” But in Texas and Tennessee, stations reported the opposite effect: a surge in requests for “God Bless the U.S.A.” “People are doubling down,” said one Nashville DJ. “Every time controversy hits, patriotic anthems rise.”

Industry and Public Reactions

While the country music industry has grown more inclusive in recent years, it remains largely conservative. Artists like T.J. Osborne of the Brothers Osborne and singer Brandi Carlile have pushed boundaries by coming out or advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility, but backlash within fan communities persists.

“Country music is at a crossroads,” said Dr. Kevin Hall, a sociologist studying American music and identity. “Younger artists are opening the door to diversity, but the old guard still defines patriotism in very narrow terms. Greenwood’s statement reflects that generational divide.”

Major outlets, including Rolling Stone and Billboard, published op-eds debating whether the singer’s comments represent personal conviction or intolerance. Meanwhile, political figures seized the moment — with conservative commentators defending Greenwood as a “victim of woke outrage,” and progressives criticizing what they call a “lack of compassion.”

Greenwood Responds

In a follow-up post days later, Greenwood attempted to clarify his stance. “I have nothing against anyone’s personal choices,” he wrote. “I respect every American’s right to live as they wish. But I don’t believe in forcing people to participate in cultural movements they don’t agree with. My focus has always been love of country — not politics.”

Despite the clarification, critics argue that the damage is already done. “Words matter,” said one LGBTQ+ advocate in Nashville. “When someone with his platform speaks out against Pride, it empowers intolerance.”

Greenwood’s team has since confirmed that he will appear on a televised interview next week to “explain his comments and respond to the public reaction.” Whether that will mend fences or deepen the rift remains to be seen.

A Larger Conversation

The uproar around Lee Greenwood’s refusal to celebrate Pride Month has become more than a celebrity controversy — it’s a reflection of America’s ongoing cultural divide. At its core lies a debate over patriotism, freedom, and inclusivity: can one love their country and still reject parts of its evolving culture?

For now, Greenwood stands by his words, supported by those who share his worldview and criticized by those who see them as a step backward. As Pride Month approaches, one thing is clear: in an era when music and politics are inseparable, even a single sentence from a country legend can strike a national chord.