Atlanta Black Pride, a nonprofit committed to supporting and educating the region’s minority communities, has faced significant challenges in securing corporate sponsorship this year. According to Terence Stewart, the group’s president and CEO, at least five corporate sponsors have withdrawn support, with others seeking to limit their funding to exclude the nonprofit’s trans or DEI-related programs.
One sponsor even suggested removing “Black” from the organization’s name, a proposal that Stewart firmly rejected. “I’m like, ‘That’s the name of the organization, so why would we do that?’” Stewart recalled, emphasizing the importance of the organization’s identity.
This shift in corporate sponsorship coincides with broader trends observed across the nation. Nearly 40% of corporations this year have signaled intentions to reduce their external engagement during Pride Month, a stark increase from just 9% last year. Data from polling and analytics firm Gravity Research indicates that this pullback is largely attributed to conservative policymakers and activists, particularly influenced by the previous administration.
The Trump administration’s policies have played a pivotal role in reshaping corporate attitudes towards LGBTQ+ support. One of President Donald Trump’s first executive orders mandated that the federal government would recognize only two sexes based on biological characteristics, framed as a move to “defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience.”
Eric Bloem, vice president of corporate citizenship at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, criticized this approach, claiming that federal agencies were weaponized to intimidate companies that support LGBTQ+ inclusion. “That creates an anti-business, anti-worker atmosphere,” Bloem said.
Despite the growing pressure on corporations, LGBTQ+ consumers and their allies are increasingly scrutinizing corporate commitments to Pride. Bloem cautioned that Pride should not be viewed merely as a seasonal marketing opportunity but as a vital test of a company’s values. Companies that only engage when convenient or retreat under political pressure risk losing credibility and trust with the community.
In Georgia, this tension has led to backlash against prominent corporations. Home Depot, based in Vinings, came under fire after its Canadian division opted not to sponsor Pride Toronto this year, inciting criticism from city officials. “Don’t shop at Home Depot,” declared Toronto’s mayor, Olivia Chow. The company clarified that it had no prior agreements for sponsorship and that its Canadian division continues to engage with Pride activities elsewhere.
The changing corporate climate is not only impacting Atlanta Black Pride but is also felt by the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, which represents LGBTQ entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and corporate employees. The organization has experienced sponsor pullbacks, leading to significant downsizing; it recently laid off its last staff member and operates now primarily as a volunteer-run initiative.
“We used to organize events and execute them with a stable budget. Now, we are struggling to secure funding and justify our expenses,” remarked Sergio Quieroz Santos, president of OUT Georgia. The organization’s future looks uncertain as it works to maintain its programming with limited resources.
As the dynamics of Pride Month celebrations evolve, Atlanta’s Pride events are still on the horizon. The Atlanta Black Pride festival is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, while Atlanta Pride, recognized as the largest free Pride festival in the country, is set for October. Many sponsors, including Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, are returning this year, even as others are absent.
UPS, which partnered with Atlanta Pride last year, has not yet been confirmed as a sponsor for this year’s event. The company did not respond to requests for comment regarding its sponsorship status.
In a statement, Steven Igarashi-Ball, director of communications and community engagement for Atlanta Pride, acknowledged the shifting landscape of corporate sponsorships across the country. He stated, “Like many large-scale events, we experience some year-to-year changes in sponsor participation, and that’s not unusual.”
Igarashi-Ball also expressed optimism, indicating that as the Atlanta Pride Festival approaches, there is still ample time for financial commitments to materialize.
Despite the corporate pullbacks and the prevailing political climate, the resilience of the LGBTQ community remains evident. “Now more than ever, we have to stand proud and we have to be loud,” Stewart declared, emphasizing the necessity of visibility and advocacy.
“Our voices have to be heard through all of the murkiness, all of the rhetoric, all of the nonsense,” he urged, highlighting a commitment to celebration and support for LGBTQ rights in the face of adversity.
image source from：ajc
