Corporate Sponsors Withdraw From NYC, Virginia Pride Amid Policy Backlash

Corporate sponsorship for major Pride events in Virginia and New York City has significantly declined, driven by economic uncertainty and concerns over backlash from the Trump administration's rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Virginia Pridefest, scheduled for September, faces uncertainty with unspecified corporations withdrawing support, reflecting broader national tensions around LGBTQ+ rights. In New York City, several longtime sponsors, including Mastercard, Nissan, Citi, PepsiCo, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, have scaled back or ended their financial support, resulting in budget shortfalls reported up to $750,000. Officials note that while economic factors are cited, fear of political repercussions for publicly supporting DEI and LGBTQ+ causes under the Trump administration plays a significant role. Despite these challenges, most sponsors remain committed, and some companies continue to participate in Pride events in different capacities. The funding reductions have forced organizers to scale back events and adapt to this evolving sponsorship landscape.