Pride festivals around the country have seen a similar trend of large companies removing their financial support, as well as rolling back commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion in their workplace.
“We’ve known since the beginning that these big sponsors aren’t really here for us,” said Tara Jae, executive director of Black Pride Colorado and YouthSeen, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ youth of color. “They’re here for themselves.” (Note: Jae worked at Rocky Mountain Public Media from 2019-2023.)
Pride began in New York City as a response to police raids on the Stonewall Inn, a mafia-owned gay bar in Greenwich Village. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face threats from President Donald Trump and his administration, Jae believes that protest remains more vital than ever.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the community to come together, protest and really support the intersections of identity,” they said. “Pride has always been a protest and we have to make room for that.”
“Sponsorship is always a give and take,” Jae said. “It makes me sad that this is the focus when we really should be looking at how Pride should always put the community first.”
Soleil Hanberry-Lizzi, a community organizer who previously protested the police presence at Pride, said even when corporations are genuine in their efforts to support LGBTQ+ people, they’re ultimately beholden to shareholders and customers. Hanberry-Lizzi wishes The Center and other pride organizers would cut ties with companies altogether.
“They’re focused on their bottom line, not human lives,” Hanberry-Lizzi said of the corporate sponsors. “They’re becoming less and less willing to support queer rights because they think they can either use us as a bargaining chip or they need to turn away from us to preserve a conservative client base.”
Hanberry-Lizzy hopes to see more protests at Pride this year. She understands the desires for a large party, especially in oppressive political times, but believes necessary change comes from speaking out.
“Out of the bars and into the streets,” she said.
