Latest news with #Pride-related


Forbes
18-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Pride Month 2025 Exposes The Limits Of Corporate Allyship
Activists carry a rainbow pride flag during the WorldPride 2025 parade in Washington, DC. ... More Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg If you scrolled through corporate social accounts last June, your feed was likely full of rainbow logos and Pride Month tributes. This year, the contrast is hard to miss. Many of those same companies have gone quiet—no rainbow avatars, no influencer campaigns, no public declarations of support for LGBTQ+ employees or customers. What happened? The short answer: political pressure and shifting corporate risk calculations have led many major brands to retreat from Pride Month in 2025. While companies continued Pride campaigns in June 2024—albeit more cautiously after the Bud Light controversy and Target backlash—a noticeable shift has now taken place. According to Gravity Research, which advises companies on social and political risks, 39% of surveyed brand executives planned to reduce Pride-related engagement this year, with 61% citing the Trump administration as their reason. Not a single respondent said they planned to increase it. Since taking office, the Trump administration has targeted corporate DEI efforts with executive orders threatening investigations into "illegal" programs and suggesting companies could face regulatory scrutiny—or even blocked mergers—if they don't comply. Conservative "go woke, go broke" campaigns have amplified the pressure, and companies have responded by scaling back or going silent entirely. This retreat from corporate Pride Month initiatives is measurable. An analysis by tracked companies that displayed Pride-themed rainbow logos on LinkedIn. Of 344 companies that used rainbow logos in 2023, 61% did so again in 2024, and only 46% of those continued the practice in 2025. The below graphic shows examples of ten of the companies that did not update their logos to be Pride-themed 2025, after doing so in previous years. I reached out to these companies to ask why they changed their Pride strategy, but none provided comments. Companies that didn't change their logos to celebrate Pride in 2025 The shift extends beyond visuals to actual spending. Digiday reported that LGBTQ+ influencers who once relied on June partnerships for significant annual income faced near-total silence from brands this year as Pride-related advertising spend plummeted. Even longstanding Pride parade and festival sponsors have pulled back. According to Gravity Research's 2025 Pride Pulse Poll, 37 percent of respondents decreased sponsorships of external Pride events. The impact is tangible: according to The Drum, NYC Pride faced a $750,000 decrease in sponsorships, San Francisco Pride a $200,000 decrease, with brands including Mastercard, Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo and Comcast withdrawing support. This corporate pullback comes precisely when LGBTQ+ representation and purchasing power are at historic highs. According to Gallup, 9.3% of US adults now identify as LGBTQ+—a number that has doubled since 2020 and reaches over 20% among Gen Z adults. Merrill estimates this community's US purchasing power at $1.4 trillion annually. While Pride's origins lie in liberation and equality rather than corporate "rainbow capitalism," company support still matters to employees and customers. Randstad's 2024 Workmonitor Pulse Survey found that only 49% of LGBTQ+ employees felt comfortable discussing their sexuality or gender identity at work, while 57% want their companies to introduce inclusive policies and take public stances on LGBTQ+ issues. Despite administrative pressure, public support remains strong. According to GLAAD, 71% of Americans agree that brands should be able to show support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. Yet companies increasingly view Pride as a liability rather than an opportunity, turning public celebration into strategic retreat. Despite pressure from the current administration, the public still appears supportive of Pride support from companies. According to GLAAD, 71% of Americans agree that brands and companies should be able to show support to the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. But still companies seem to be changing their view of Pride from a brand opportunity to a perceived liability. The public-facing celebration has turned into a strategic retreat. Corporate support for LGBTQ+ rights has long walked the line between genuine allyship and opportunistic marketing. What we're seeing in 2025 reveals what happens when that support faces real pressure: many companies choose silence over solidarity. The consequences extend far beyond missing logos and cancelled sponsorships. These choices send clear messages—to employees, customers, and the broader public—about whose rights companies will defend when the stakes get high. This Pride Month, fewer brands are waving rainbow flags. But the communities those flags represent haven't gone anywhere. They're watching, taking notes, and remembering which companies stood by them when it mattered most.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Caught on camera: Masked men use stolen welcome sign to hide theft of Pride flags
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (KDVR) — Masked men using a stolen sign to block the theft of several Pride flags from people's front yards in a Fort Collins neighborhood were caught on camera. It was the first year Rebecca and Sarah Peck hung their flags in front of their home they had recently moved into. When they lived in Alabama, they say they would hang them all the time, with no problem. Trio of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' stars to headline Denver PrideFest's Center Stage Now, they feel violated knowing someone walked onto their property and made off with their belongings. When Sarah Peck was out cutting grass early Saturday morning, she noticed something was off. 'Then I finished and I was like, wait a minute,' said Sarah. 'What happened to our flags? Like all of them.' The three hanging in the couple's front yard are gone, along with the couple's hand-painted welcome sign. 'The whole process took a couple of weeks between the painting and drying. I wouldn't be surprised if it took a month of work for all of that,' said Sarah. 'I was more like, where'd they go … what happened. I was confused.' It was when a neighbor showed a video of two masked men appearing to use the same sign to hide the theft that neighbors were able to connect the dots. Sarah said, 'It was more of a shock, like this is our sign. It's very distinguishable.' The couple also learned that other homes in the neighborhood were targeted. 'From what I understand, we all had something Pride-related that was messed with,' said Sarah. 'One of the neighbors had a pride wreath that was messed with on their front door. I heard other flags getting taken as well.' Friends remember Jax Gratton two months after she went missing Sarah says she reported the situation to the police, hoping someone can recognize the people responsible. 'What was so offensive to you that you felt the need to come on our personal property and take our stuff?' Sarah asked. Around noon on Monday, the couple replaced the stolen flag while also taping a message to their front door. 'We're not going to be intimidated by it,' said Sarah. Sarah says the sign that was stolen was sentimental and she desperately wants it back. She wants to send a message out to the community to be vigilant. Meanwhile, if you can identify the people in the video, you are asked to give Fort Collins police a call at 970-221-6540. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Boston Globe
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
N.H. tourism office deletes post, webpage of Pride-related events after Republican complaint
Advertisement Maidment tagged Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up 'It's the low level bureaucrats that are drowning us,' he Update - it's been deleted. — Chris Maidment (@ChrisMaidmentNH) Along with the social media post, the VisitNH Advertisement Caswell and a division spokesperson did not directly answer questions from the Globe about who decided to delete the Pride-related content, why they made that decision, and what policies govern their editorial decision-making regarding which events to feature. 'We regularly promote events throughout New Hampshire, and the webpage you mentioned is active,' division spokesperson Kris Neilsen said in an email Sunday, after the webpage was restored. It's not entirely clear why the complaint yielded such a prompt response, since VisitNH had made similar social media posts for Pride events in Caswell was first appointed in 2017 by Republican Governor Christopher T. Sununu. He was reappointed by Sununu in 2021 to a second four-year term. That term will expire Some other Sununu appointees have already been shown the exit on Ayotte's watch. The governor announced that Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut The deletion of this Pride-themed content also comes at a crucial stage in the budget process, as state lawmakers finalize their spending plan for the next two fiscal years. Although the House and Senate have Advertisement That ideological lens has been applied to individual line items. In advocating deep cuts in funding to the University System of New Hampshire, some have argued the reductions are appropriate to curb left-leaning ' At least one lawmaker drew a direct connection between the budgeting process and the Pride-themed post from VisitNH. 'This is why we tried to strip away their funding,' Republican Representative James Spillane of Deerfield wrote Spillane called on Ayotte to 'get the department under control' or face legislative intervention. The New Hampshire House and Senate are likely to form a committee of conference this week to reconcile the differences between their versions of the budget, with a June 26 deadline to act on the committee's compromise. Steven Porter can be reached at


Daily Record
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Baby names inspired by Pride Month including one that puts inspiring spin on a classic
Every June, the world celebrates Pride Month to honour the LGBTQ+ community, but the celebrations could also inspire parents-to-be. Parents-to-be pull inspiration from a range of sources when it comes to thinking of baby names. They can look to TV, films, seasons, or even locations to name their child after something special to them. But what about an inspiring month dedicated to the fight for equal rights and honouring the LGBTQ+ community? Well, as if right on cue, June marks the 55th anniversary of the first Pride march held in the United States. Pride Month is an observation of queer culture through celebration and protest. Countless communities host Pride marches, demonstrations and parties to honour queer joy all over the world - including Scotland's major cities. For budding mothers and fathers who feel moved by the event, and want to pay homage to some iconic figures of the LGBTQ+ movement with an equally iconic name for their wee one, Nameberry has comprised a compelling list. So, if you want your bub's title to be rooted in history, read on for ten Pride-related names that could be the moniker-in-waiting for your adorable new arrival. Who knows, it might even spark an appetite for activism. Audre A self-described "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," Audre Lorde dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. Born in New York City, Audre uplifted the most marginalised in society. Her name – a streamlined spelling of contemporary classic Audrey – boasts the fitting meaning of "noble strength". Bayard Bayard Rustin was a close friend of Martin Luther King and the chief architect of the 1963 March on Washington. He didn't become a vocal gay rights activist until the 1980s but he did testify on the behalf of a New York City queer civil liberties law, stating that gay rights had become the new barometer for social change and progress. His intriguing name comes from a French word meaning 'russet red'. A trailblazing campaigner for marriage equality, Edie Windsor fought the US federal government in a landmark 2013 lawsuit which paved the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage across all states two years later. Edie is a cute, retro nickname that ranks just outside the Top 100 in the UK. Gilbert Gilbert Baker was an artist and LGBTQ rights activist. You might not know a lot about him but you will know of his most famous creation - the rainbow flag. The rainbow flag has become synonymous with Pride. Gilbert is a unique pick for a boy's name, but you never know, it could make a comeback very soon. Gracy Miss Major Griffin-Gracy was a long-standing advocate of transgender rights and a veteran of the Stonewall riots, which proved to be a quintessential moment for the LGBTQ+ community in the US and across the world. Gracie is the more popular spelling of the name but the -y ending feels more mature. Harvey As California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk achieved so much for for the LGBTQ community during his tenure, which was cut devastatingly short when he was assassinated just ten months after entering office. Harvey is an old school, sophisticated-sounding name which means "iron blazing" or "battle-worthy". Harvey was in the UK top 100 from 1997-2021, Nameberry reports, but it has fallen slightly in recent years. Jazz Jazz is a more contemporary pick after TV personality and trans rights campaigner Jazz Jennings. The youngest activist on this list, the 24-year-old American YouTuber and LGBT rights activist is one of the youngest publicly documented people to be identified as transgender. Jazz is a great modern-day pick for those touched by the current LGBTQ+ scene. Kahlo Frida Kahlo was a renowned Mexican painter who was was openly bisexual. Her work often explored themes of identity, gender, and sexuality. She is considered a strong LGBTQ+ figure. The Kahlo family name was found in the US between 1880 and 1920. In 2025, it would make for a fascinating artistic baby name. Intriguingly, it's more popular in the US for boys. Lili or Lilli The story of Lili Elbe, one of the earliest known recipients of gender reassignment surgery, was fictionalised in the book (then film) The Danish Girl. These -i ending forms of Lily have historically been most popular in Germany and Hungary – although we have seen a small uptick in them since the birth of Lilibet "Lili", daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Lyon Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin made history when they became the first same-sex couple to marry in California. This actually happened twice because their first marriage was voided. Lyon, who was also a lifelong activist, sadly passed away in April 2020. This surname, suggesting bravery and a sense of wildness, could make a unique alternative to 'Leo'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pride in Norwich: June events celebrate identity and community
The Rose City Pride Committee is hosting a series of events in June for Pride Month. According to a community announcement, these events aim to promote community, wellness, creativity, and visibility. While the City of Norwich is host to several Pride-related happenings this month, the following events are organized and presented directly by the Rose City Pride Committee. The first event is the First Friday Flag Raising on June 6 at 6 p.m. at David Ruggles Courtyard outside City Hall, located at 100 Broadway. This event will feature the raising of the Pride Flag and a performance by the Rose City Pride Singers, with rehearsal starting at 5:30 p.m. Following this, the First Friday Art & Craft Exhibit will take place at 7 p.m., showcasing LGBTQIA+ and allied artists and crafters. Registration is required, and tables will be provided for participants. On June 7, the Rose City Pride Committee will have a presence at the GNACC Annual Duck Race at Fireman's Field in Yantic. Community members are encouraged to stop by the committee's table during this event. A Pride Service will be held on June 8 at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Norwich, located at 67–69 Main St. This interfaith gathering is open to everyone and aims to be affirming and inclusive. On June 12, the Otis Library will host a Pride Beading Craft from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is designed for youth ages 8 to 18 and will celebrate Pride through art. The 'Be You, Be Well: Self-Care is Self-Love' Wellness Fair will take place on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Otis Library Community Room. This event will feature gender-affirming organizations and self-care resources. On June 21, the Traveling Queer Movie Night will screen "Late Bloomers" at 7 p.m. at Park Congregational. The month will conclude with a Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser at Bella Fiore Restaurante on June 23. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for buffet ticket holders, with the show and bingo starting at 7 p.m. Ongoing throughout June, there will be Pride window displays in collaboration with the Rose Arts Festival and an Otis Library Pride Book Display. For more information, contact Please note: Events listed on June 3 (UCFS Pride Day of Reflection), June 7 (Slater Museum Pride Celebration), and June 14 (Strange Brew Pride Party) are community events occurring in Norwich during Pride Month, but are not organized by the Rose City Pride Committee. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: What's happening for Pride Month in Norwich? Here's your guide