As Pride Month unfolds across the country, Boston is positioning itself as a beacon for LGBTQ+ celebrations, defying a troubling national trend where major corporate sponsors have retreated from Pride events.
The festivities in Boston kick off with a pride flag raising ceremony at City Hall, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu.
One of the highlights of this month is the return of the Boston Pride for the People Parade, which is set to feature many of the same corporate sponsors as previous years, standing in contrast to the widespread dropouts seen in other cities.
Cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Columbus, and Richmond have reported that major companies, including Mastercard, Pepsi, and Deloitte, have withdrawn their financial backing of Pride events due to political pressures and economic uncertainties stemming from the Trump administration.
“We haven’t taken money from those folks,” said Gary Daffin, a member of the Boston Pride for the People leadership team, referencing those corporations that pulled out support.
He attributes Boston’s sustained support to a new vetting process instituted by the organization since it took over the parade in 2023.
Daffin explained that they look into whether potential sponsors have supported anti-LGBTQ or anti-abortion issues or candidates.
Most of Boston’s sponsors this year are local organizations, which Daffin believes reflects a deeper, more committed connection to the community compared to broader corporate sponsorships seen in other parades nationwide.
Returning sponsors include notable names like Delta Air Lines, the Boston Foundation, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Eastern Bank, Eversource, and National Grid, signaling a strong local investment in the events.
The financial requirements for putting on such a large-scale parade and festival are substantial, with costs estimated between $650,000 and $700,000, according to Daffin.
While other cities are contemplating drastic cutbacks due to sponsor withdrawals, Daffin reported that Boston Pride for the People is holding steady, nearly matching last year’s sponsorship levels.
However, the group did face challenges in attracting new sponsors this year, likely influenced by ongoing economic uncertainties affecting small and medium-sized businesses within the area.
Despite these challenges, the organization has reported a robust number of registrations for parade participation, indicative of strong community engagement.
This year’s parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. in Back Bay, followed by a festival at Boston Common.
For those intending to attend, parade organizers recommend using the Orange Line to reach Back Bay Station or the Green Line to Arlington or Boylston stations.
In addition to the celebration of Pride, a recent study from MIT reveals concerns about air quality and pollution, which could be exacerbated by climate change.
The research suggests that as temperatures rise, there will be an increased release of nitrous oxide from the soil, contributing further to smog accumulation and complicating efforts to control air pollution.
Noelle Selin, an MIT professor and co-author of the study, emphasizes the critical need for policymakers to uphold measures designed to reduce air pollution and protect atmospheric integrity.
She stated, “What we’re doing to the atmosphere has impacts and it’s important not to roll these back.”
On a different note, the housing situation in Massachusetts presents a grim reality for renters and potential homebuyers, as new reports indicate a significant decrease in housing production this year, reaching a decade low.
Real estate firm Colliers highlighted that multi-housing developments are encountering significant obstacles due to rising interest rates, soaring construction costs, and tariff-related uncertainties.
Despite state efforts to spur housing development with billions in authorized borrowing, Boston appears to be lagging behind similar-sized cities like Austin, Texas, where rents have surprisingly fallen due to a more conducive environment for new housing initiatives.
Colliers vice president Kendin Carr pointed out that the administrative red tape and escalating labor costs in Boston have stymied significant development efforts, hindering the city’s capacity to meet housing demands.
As a reminder to residents, the Sumner Tunnel will be closed overnight to facilitate the installation of new overhead signs, leading to expected traffic disruptions between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Tuesday.
In brighter news, the Massachusetts Turnpike has been fully reopened, potentially easing some travel woes.
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/06/02/boston-pride-for-the-people-parade-sponsors-newsletter
