Overview
- Tampa Pride said it will take a one-year hiatus from all 2026 events, including its Pride Festival and Diversity Parade.
- The board posted an Aug. 1 letter stating President Carrie West’s contract would expire Aug. 31 and would not be renewed.
- Organizers cited a difficult political and economic climate, pointing to reduced corporate sponsorships, lower public grants, and DEI rollbacks.
- Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she expects a pride celebration to occur in the city next year in some form.
- St. Pete Pride, which stages the Southeast’s largest pride parade, said its 2026 events will proceed and planning is underway.