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Corporate Pullback Shadows Global Pride Month 2025

This year’s events underscore Pride’s role as celebration of queer culture alongside protest against new policy restrictions

Overview

  • Pride Month 2025 began June 1 with parades and festivals around the world commemorating the 1969 Stonewall uprising and the first 1970 Pride marches.
  • Major sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo and Nissan have cut or withdrawn funding this year, leaving some events short of last year’s budgets.
  • Organizers are spotlighting Pride’s protest roots by campaigning against policies that restrict transgender healthcare, sports participation and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
  • WorldPride in Washington, D.C., running through June 8, features headline performers including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan alongside rallies for queer rights.
  • Local festivals from Milwaukee to Queens are tailoring programs—such as transgender-only performance nights and honoring LGBTQ+ asylum seekers—to respond to funding gaps and political pressures.