Say My Name: Pride Under Pressure, Corporate Sponsorships Fading Faster Than My Last Disappearing Act

The Game is Changing Yo

So these 'woke' corporations the ones who plastered rainbows all over everything last June are suddenly having second thoughts about their little Pride parades. Turns out supporting the LGBTQ+ community isn't as profitable when the political winds shift. Who knew? Guess they’re all about 'breaking bad' on their promises. But hey like I always say "I am not in the meth business... I am in the empire business." And empires adapt.

Show Me The Money… Or Lack Thereof

Apparently Seattle Pride and New York City Pride are each short a cool $350,000. San Francisco and Twin Cities Pride? Pocket change at $200,000 each. Anheuser Busch Comcast Diageo Nissan – all bailing. Economic concerns they say. Right. Like they suddenly can't afford a few rainbow flags. Reminds me of Jesse trying to convince me he wasn’t using again. Always an excuse.

Fear and Loathing in Corporate America

Executive orders anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric… it’s a veritable cocktail of corporate paranoia. They're so scared of losing a few bucks (or worse offending the wrong people) that they’re willing to throw the LGBTQ+ community under the bus. Pathetic. You gotta wonder where’s the loyalty? Where’s the… respect? I mean "Respect the chemistry!" is my personal motto.

Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle Applies to Sponsorships Too

Even the ones sticking around are pinching pennies. Denver Pride’s sponsors are cutting back by a whopping 62%. 62%! That's almost as much as I used to skim off the top. Some are delaying decisions others are quietly backing out. It's a mess a goddamn mess just like my… previous career path.

Values? What Values?

Pride organizations are starting to question whether these corporations really align with their values. Seattle Pride dumped Boeing after they shut down their DEI team. Twin Cities Pride cut ties with Target over DEI policy changes. Good. About damn time. It’s about aligning with the community. It's about sending a message. You want to play you play by my… uh their rules.

The Crowdfunding Alternative: Cook or Die

Some groups are turning to crowdfunding. Good for them. Twin Cities Pride raised over $110,000 after ditching Target. Stonewall Columbus Cincinnati Pride San Francisco Pride – all getting in on the action. Maybe it's time to diversify build a sustainable model that doesn't rely on the fickle whims of corporate overlords. Just like I diversified my skillset. Speaking of which "I am the one who knocks!"... on your door with a donation request.