The “Parks and Recreation” family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Jonathan Joss, the beloved actor who was fatally shot at his home in San Antonio, Texas on June 1.

Nick Offerman, who starred alongside Joss on the hit sitcom, shared how the cast has been coping with the devastating news. “We’ve been texting together all day,” Offerman told PEOPLE on June 2. “We’re just heartbroken. Jonathan was such a sweet guy, and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. It’s a terrible tragedy.”

Joss played the memorable role of Chief Ken Hotate, leader of the Native American Wamapoke Tribe, appearing in the series over five years alongside stars like Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, and Adam Scott.

The Tragic Incident

On the evening of June 1, police responded to reports of a shooting at Joss’ property around 7 p.m. When officers arrived, they found Joss lying near the roadway. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities arrested a suspect shortly after the incident — 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who is confirmed to be Joss’ neighbor. Cejam was booked on a murder charge, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A Husband’s Heartbreaking Account

Joss’ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared a deeply personal and painful account of the events on Joss’ official Facebook page. Gonzales revealed they had endured more than two years of harassment, much of it homophobic, culminating in their home burning down three months ago — a tragedy he says went largely ignored by local law enforcement.

On that tragic night, Gonzales and Joss had returned to their property to retrieve their mail when they discovered the skull of one of their dogs left out in the open. “We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,” Gonzales wrote.

During this emotional moment, Gonzales says a man approached them, hurling violent homophobic slurs before pulling a gun and firing. “Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side,” he explained. “When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.”

Remembering Jonathan Joss

The couple had recently married on Valentine’s Day this year, looking forward to building their life together as newlyweds. Gonzales described Joss as a man who gave “more love in our time together than most people ever get.”

“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,” Gonzales wrote. “I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved.”

To fans, friends, and everyone who supported Joss, Gonzales emphasized how deeply the actor valued them, “He saw you as family.”

Now, his husband’s focus is on protecting Jonathan’s legacy and honoring the life they shared. “Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built.”

Jonathan Joss will be remembered not only for his memorable roles but also for his kindness, love, and the strength he showed even in the darkest moments. His “Parks and Recreation” family and countless fans will carry his memory forward with heavy hearts.

Source: People – Nick Offerman Says Parks and Recreation Cast ‘Has Been Texting’ About Jonathan Joss’ Tragic Death ‘All Day’

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Pride Month officially kicks off this weekend with events across the globe—bringing celebration, community, and calls to action at a critical time for LGBTQ+ rights.

What began over 50 years ago as a bold act of protest has blossomed into a worldwide movement. Pride is now a mix of joyful parades, heartfelt advocacy, and a powerful reminder of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come—and how far there’s still to go.

Pride: A Party With Purpose

At its core, Pride is both a celebration and a protest. Throughout June, cities across the U.S. and around the world will host marches, festivals, and rallies in support of LGBTQ+ visibility, rights, and equality.

But in the U.S., this year’s events take place amid growing political pushback—particularly targeting transgender people and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

A Brief History: Pride’s Powerful Origins

Pride Month traces back to June 28, 1969, when a police raid on the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar in New York City—sparked an uprising and catalyzed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

A year later, the first Gay Pride Week took place in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. That spirit has since grown into a global celebration with hundreds of events large and small.

Not all Pride celebrations fall in June. World Pride in Washington, D.C., began in May and continues through June 8. London’s celebration lands in July, Atlanta’s in October, and Rio de Janeiro hosts a major event in November.

President Bill Clinton first officially recognized June as Pride Month in 1999, a tradition that continues—though the political climate has shifted significantly in recent years.

Political Backdrop: Trans Rights and DEI Under Fire

Former President Donald Trump’s return to office this year has brought a new wave of policies rolling back LGBTQ+ protections.

Among the key moves:

• Halting passport gender marker changes.
• Banning transgender troops from military service.
• Preventing federal programs from covering gender-affirming care for minors.
• Removing references to transgender people from federal websites, including the Stonewall National Monument page.
• Seeking to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

These actions build on years of legislation in Republican-led states targeting transgender youth, from bathroom access to medical treatment. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule this month on Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors—a pivotal case for trans rights nationwide.

This Year’s Pride Celebrations

Despite political headwinds, Pride celebrations are moving forward with renewed energy and purpose.

• Milwaukee’s PrideFest (June 5–7) is expecting nearly 50,000 attendees. Organizers are making a powerful statement: one night will feature an all-transgender lineup of performers; another will spotlight performers of color.
• Philadelphia’s Pride promises a united community vibe, with less emphasis on protest and more on presence and joy.
• Across the country, similar events are planned in New Orleans (June 14), Chicago (June 21–22), and New York (June 28–29).

“People are showing up—and that alone is their protest,” said Wes Shaver, President and CEO of Milwaukee Pride, Inc.

Celebrating a Milestone: 10 Years of Marriage Equality

This Pride Month also marks a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

According to Pew Research, nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ adults feel the decision made the U.S. more accepting of same-sex couples. Still, acceptance isn’t universal—particularly for nonbinary and transgender people, who report feeling significantly less seen and supported.

Corporate Support: A Step Back?

Some long-time corporate sponsors are pulling back this year.

• Anheuser-Busch declined to sponsor PrideFest in St. Louis for the first time in 30 years, leaving a $150,000 funding gap.
• NYC Pride saw about 20% of its corporate support reduced or withdrawn, with companies like PepsiCo and Nissan scaling down.
• Kansas City‘s Pride organizers reported losing half of their budget.

In many cases, companies didn’t explain the cutbacks—but some insiders say it’s part of a wider trend of brands stepping back from public activism. In fact, some still contribute financially but request not to be named publicly.

The Spirit of Pride Endures

Despite funding cuts and political pressure, the spirit of Pride remains unshaken.

Whether it’s marching in the streets, uplifting queer voices, or simply showing up to celebrate love and identity, Pride Month 2025 is a reminder that joy is resistance—and that community is power.

As Jeremy Williams of Philly Pride put it: “Everybody’s just there to be together.”

Source: AP News – Pride Month starts this weekend. Here’s what to expect

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Across the U.S., colleges are canceling long-standing cultural and identity-based graduation ceremonies due to mounting political pressure — but students are stepping up to keep the traditions alive off campus.

Harvard Cancels Black Graduation, Students Push Forward

At Harvard University, Elyse Martin-Smith had been planning a celebration of Black culture since last summer. The student-led Black graduation was set to include music, poetry, and a keynote speech from 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones.

The event was scheduled for the Harvard Memorial Church, but just weeks before commencement, Martin-Smith said she was told by university officials it could no longer be held on campus. The cancellation followed the university’s decision to rename its DEI office and withdraw funding for all affinity group commencements, a move announced in April after the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funds over the school’s refusal to comply with new policy demands.

“This isn’t the first time the university has catered to PR concerns over student needs,” Martin-Smith said. Still, she wasn’t deterred. With support from Harvard’s Black Graduate Student Alliance and Black Alumni Society, she secured an off-campus venue. The event, still featuring the original program, will take place May 27.

“It’s an undue burden we keep facing — having to fight just to celebrate our own culture,” she added.

Affinity Graduations Under Threat Nationwide

Harvard is not alone. Several universities are backing away from support for affinity graduations — celebrations traditionally held to honor the achievements of marginalized student groups, including Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, first-gen, and Asian students. Though optional and separate from main commencements, these ceremonies have become meaningful platforms to recognize identity, culture, and heritage.

The trend comes as former President Donald Trump and other conservative leaders campaign aggressively against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts, labeling them discriminatory and threatening schools with cuts to federal funding and accreditation.

At the University of Kentucky, for instance, all identity-based graduation events were scrapped earlier this year.

“Due to changes in federal and state policy, the university will no longer host special-interest or identity-based graduations,” a university spokesperson stated.

‘Senior Salute’ Fills the Gap in Kentucky

Kristopher Washington, a University of Kentucky graduate and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, didn’t let the school’s decision end his celebration. Working with his fraternity brothers, Washington organized an off-campus event called “Senior Salute” at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.

The inclusive ceremony encouraged graduates to wear symbols of their identity and background.

“It’s about showing that people from different places and struggles are still making it to the finish line,” Washington said. “That’s worth celebrating.”

A Deeper Cultural Meaning

Dr. Antar Tichavakunda, an assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of Black Campus Life, emphasized the importance of these events in giving students a sense of pride and cultural affirmation.

“Most traditional commencement rituals have European origins,” he explained. “Black graduations, for example, often include West African drumming, speakers who understand the Black experience, and celebrations that reflect our heritage.”

“Being able to celebrate in a space where we’re not policed — where our music, language, and culture are welcomed — makes the moment even more meaningful,” he said.

LGBTQ+ Graduations Also Under Fire

The LGBTQ+ community has also felt the impact. Lavender Graduations, which honor queer graduates, are being shut down in states with new anti-DEI laws.

In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation last year banning DEI programs in education and government. As a result, many universities have shuttered identity resource centers and ended support for Lavender Graduations.

Jacey Thornton, executive director of Project Rainbow Utah and a recent graduate of Weber State University, stepped in to help. Her organization supported a community celebration for LGBTQ+ students at a local church, complete with pride flags, rainbow tassels, and lavender stoles. Students from multiple colleges in Utah attended.

“It’s not just about the degree,” Thornton said. “It’s about honoring the journey — especially for those of us who’ve lost family or faced rejection along the way. These gatherings help us form a chosen family.”

Looking Ahead: Students Get Creative

With official support fading, students are finding new ways to celebrate their identities.

Tichavakunda believes this could mark a shift in how students choose colleges. “Schools that don’t support these traditions may lose students to institutions that do — especially HBCUs,” he said.

But he’s also optimistic: “This won’t be the end of cultural graduations. Students will continue to find creative ways to keep them alive — even without university backing.”

Source: CNN – Colleges are canceling affinity graduations due to anti-DEI policies. Here is how students are preserving the traditions

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