Pride season officially kicks off in a monthbut this years celebrations are already looking very different from what weve grown accustomed to. At many Pride celebrationsincluding those in New York City, San Francisco, and St. Louiscorporate sponsors, once ubiquitous, have begun pulling their support.In response to conservative backlash against DEI efforts and rising hostility toward queer and trans people, companies have been walking back their efforts and support of the LGBTQ+ community.A recent Gravity Research survey polled 49 senior executives at Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies. The results show a significant shift in outward support for the LGBTQ+ community. 39% of respondents said they would be scaling back their Pride Month engagement, due to several factors including pressure from the Trump Administration (61%) and threats from conservative activists (39%).The most visible shift is reduced presence at Pride eventsespecially among B2C companies and those reliant on federal funding, like healthcare organizations.For those who are still participating or have maintained their support for the LGBTQ+ community, a majority (65%) were preparing for potential backlash.Which companies are pulling back?Several longtime Pride sponsors have withdrawn support this year, leaving Pride organizations without crucial support.Anheuser-Busch, which faced boycotts and backlash for featuring trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney on a can of Bud Light in a 2023 Instagram video, pulled support this year after being a sponsor for three decades, from St. Louis Pride. The decision left Pride St. Louis, the nonprofit organizers of the event, with a $150,000 budget deficit. In a press release, Marty Zuniga, President of Pride St. Louis addressed the issues and the need to turn to the St. Louis community for additional funds.While we are deeply disappointed that Anheuser-Busch has chosen to step away from supporting PrideFest this year, we remain hopeful that the community will step up where they have stepped down, said ZunigaAnheuser-Busch, along with alcohol company Diageo (known for brands like Guinness and Smirnoff), also pulled support from San Francisco Pride. San Francisco Pride, which attracts around a million people each year, has also lost support from Meta, Amazon, Google, Apple, Bay Area Reporter reports.Due to dwindling corporate support Seattle Pride is facing a $350,000 budget shortfall and has turned to the community to raise the funds. In their funding plea, Seattle Pride explains that losing this financial support comes at a challenging time for the entire community.This comes at a time when attacks on our communities are escalating, and queer and trans people are being increasingly erased from public life and safe spaces, said the fundraiser post.Even the countrys largest Pride event, New York Pride, has experienced pullbacks in support from longtime corporate sponsors. Mastercard, Nissan, PepsiCo and Citi will not sponsor this years event, AdWeek reports.WorldPride setbacksWorldPride, the biannual global Pride celebration, is set to begin its nearly month long celebration on May 17 in Washington D.C. Held in 2023 in Sydney, Australia, the massive event travels around the world every two years. Its a highly visible opportunity for host cities to demonstrate commitment to queer and trans rights.However, this years event has been plagued with challenges from the loss of corporate sponsors like tech company Booz Allen Hamilton, security concerns and the cancellation of WorldPride connected events happening at the Kennedy Center.For a celebration meant to spotlight global solidarity, the pullbacks have raised tough questions about whether institutions can be relied upon when it matters mostand how LGBTQ+ communities will continue to adapt, resist, and show up.Pride without corporate supportThis year marks 55 years since the first Pride march, which was held a year after the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City. For many years, Pride was a political event and for many attendees, an act of defiance and bravery. In the 80s and 90s, corporations began realizing the spending power of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as turning tides in LGBTQ+ acceptance in the country. Currently, the LGBTQ+ community represents about 1.4 trillion in annual buying power.Companies like Absolut, Subaru and Ikea were among the first to support Pride events and target queer audiences. However, with the introduction of Pride Month in 1999, more and more companies started lending financial support to Pride events, turning what was once a protest into a glossy, technicolor event with corporate emblazoned floats and swag giveaways.This shift gave rise to the term, Rainbow Washing, which refers to when companies or organizations use LGBTQ+ imagerysuch as rainbow logos or Pride-themed merchandisewithout meaningful or consistent support for the LGBTQ+ community. It often involves marketing during Pride Month without year-round policies, actions or advocacy that reflect genuine allyship.Prides around the country have grown dependent on funds from companies to create the types of events we as a community have grown used to, including top tier entertainment and events. Without corporate backing, Pride may return to its rootsa concept thats been gaining traction in recent years.Pride has evolved many times over the last five decades, as has support for the LGBTQ+ community. It will survive one way or another. The question is, how do we as a community respond if corporations come back when times are less fraught?What are your thoughts on this question? Let us know at newsisout@localmedia.org.The post Pride without partners: 2025 celebrations hit by funding cuts appeared first on News Is Out.