Country music star Luke Bryan has stirred controversy this week after publicly announcing that he will not be participating in any Pride Month celebrations this June.

In a statement posted to his social media on Tuesday morning, Bryan wrote, “I’ve always stood by my roots and values. I won’t be celebrating Pride Month this year. I believe in treating everyone with respect, but I also believe the whole ‘woke’ agenda doesn’t deserve to be commemorated.”

The statement immediately sparked backlash and praise in equal measure. Supporters commended Bryan for “standing his ground,” while critics accused him of promoting intolerance under the guise of tradition.

Bryan, known for chart-topping hits like “Play It Again” and “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” has generally maintained a low political profile. However, his recent comments mark a clear entry into the broader national debate around LGBTQ+ rights, political correctness, and the culture wars.

During an interview later in the day, Bryan elaborated: “I respect everyone’s right to live how they choose, but I think we’ve gone too far when disagreeing with something gets you labeled as hateful. I’m not hateful. I’m just not going to celebrate something I don’t personally believe in.”

Advocacy groups have condemned the remarks, with GLAAD issuing a statement saying, “Refusing to acknowledge Pride Month sends a dangerous message, especially coming from someone with a large platform.”

As Pride Month kicks off, the music industry—and Bryan’s fanbase—remain divided. Whether this will affect his career long-term remains to be seen.