This Saturday, downtown Houston will host thousands of attendees for the annual celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies, but the event is facing unprecedented challenges this year.
Pride Houston 365, the nonprofit organization responsible for the event for nearly half a century, has reported significant sponsorship losses, forcing a redesign of this year’s festivities.
The organizers revealed that about 20 sponsors withdrew support, calculating a financial deficit of more than $180,000. Some of those companies requested to remain unnamed in any promotional context.
The withdrawal of sponsors stems from recent political developments that have intensified scrutiny on LGBTQ+ initiatives. Kendra Walker, a former president of Pride Houston who now serves as an advisor, explained that sponsors cited the banning of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at both state and federal levels as a reason for pulling out.
“They literally did not mince words and told us straight up,” Walker said. “They used the term ‘DEI.’ They used the term ‘Trump.'”
This shift is particularly painful for Pride Houston, as many of these sponsors had been involved for over 35 years.
Walker and the current president, Kerry-Ann Morrison, chose not to disclose specific companies that ended their sponsorships or those that requested lower visibility. They conveyed understanding toward these sponsors, acknowledging the risk to their businesses in light of government policies potentially threatening federal grant funding.
Tammi Wallace, the co-founder, president, and CEO of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, affirmed that such distancing from Pride events is not surprising. She mentioned that even some LGBTQ+-owned businesses are hesitant to openly support pride-related activities due to prevailing political climates.
After President Donald Trump enacted an executive order targeting DEI measures shortly after his inauguration, the chamber even had to find a new venue for an important event on short notice when the original host withdrew due to the political climate.
Businesses are now grappling with navigating complex environments and recalibrating their support strategies in response to this turbulent atmosphere.
Despite the setbacks, Pride Houston has managed to bring in some new sponsors, including major brands like Corona and Modelo, which are produced by Constellation Brands, as well as Cricket Wireless.
However, longstanding sponsors like Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light are notably missing from promotional materials this year. The absence follows a backlash that impacted Bud Light sales due to its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney earlier in 2023.
Looking ahead, Wallace warned that companies who choose to distance themselves from the LGBTQ+ community may face long-term consequences. “The LGBTQ+ community does have a long memory,” she reflected, emphasizing that the repercussions of such decisions may unfold over time.
The drastic reduction in sponsorship has forced Pride Houston to scale back many of its planned events for Pride month, shrinking the lineup from around 20 events to just five.
As a result, many initiatives, including youth scholarships and charitable services, have been compromised due to financial constraints. Walker noted that it takes roughly $500,000 to orchestrate the festival and parade, and while the events will proceed, the lack of funding means fewer entertainment options this year.
The festival is set to begin at 11 a.m., while the parade will commence shortly after 7 p.m.
Morrison remarked on the significance of the event’s protest roots amidst rising threats to the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Pride is a protest, right? It started as a protest and turned into a celebration of us gaining the rights that we have over the years,” she stated.
“Now, all of that’s under attack. So now, more than ever, we need to be visible, we need to be resistant, we need to show up.”
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
