'Celebration in defiance': Phoenix Rainbows Festival still joyful amid political turmoil
The second-largest LGBTQ+ event in Arizona took place on April 5 and 6, celebrating diversity, inclusion and community.
The annual Rainbows Festival was presented by Phoenix Pride and had more than 150 exhibitors, sponsors and two stages packed with entertainment.
However, the free family-friendly festival took on a slightly different tone in 2025, with a focus on policies from Washington, D.C. to the state Capitol that target the LGBTQ+ community.
'We are under attack, plain and simple," Daniel Eckstrom, president of the board of Phoenix Pride Board of Directors, said in advance of the two-day festival, which ended April 6.
That was evident among the crowd that attended the event at the Heritage Square District downtown and the fact that the festival was the endpoint for a large number of marchers who participated in the April 5 "Hands Off" protest at the state Capitol against Trump administration policies.
Chase Cramer, Mr. Phoenix Pride 2024, ran through a list of actions that he said have left him "shaken." 'With the administration attacking funding for HIV, that's a concern, especially since I work in health care," Cramer said.
He's also concerned about trans people losing their access to health care and efforts that he said attempt to erase gay and trans people from history.
'It's very scary, but it's something this community has faced before, and we can do it again," Cramer said. He fears a coming civil war, fueled by people who have felt empowered to act on their "inner hatred" in the Trump era.
Festival attendee Danielle Padavic had similar fears, adding she feels a sense of powerlessness. The demonstrations are encouraging, but more "people in power" need to get involved, she said.
She's not despairing, at least not yet. "It's America, we're a rowdy bunch," Padavic said. "Hopefully, we can make something happen."
Phoenix Pride spokesman Jeremy Helfgot said the somber comments didn't detract from the festival's goal of showcasing the power and importance of the community being together.
But, he added, 'It's fair to say the awareness of the current (political) climate is certainly pervading much of the conversation."
The march to the festival was significant, Helfgot said. The first pride march in Phoenix in 1981 started in downtown Phoenix and ended at the Capitol. The April 5 march was the inverse, bringing people to a place that marks a very real point of pride, he said.
"That's the symbolism of the weekend," Helfgot added.
More: Best things to do in Phoenix in April 2025, from Country Thunder to Rainbows Festival
Amid performances at the event, participants reflected on policies and proclamations that have emanated from the Trump administration.
'Our community is being targeted with hateful and harmful policies at a pace and on a scale we haven't seen in decades," Mike Fornelli, executive director of Phoenix Pride, said in a statement. "While our community is strong and will not live in fear, we are all facing uncertainty and very real concerns about the future of our human rights — from our right to marry the person we love, to our rights to work, access public spaces, and live in homes that are open to everyone else."
The festival aimed to unify the gay and trans community and its allies, presenting a show of unity.
'This has been a celebration in defiance," Helfgot said. "I think the community is already active and engaged. I think for a lot of the community this week, this is an opportunity to take a breath and celebrate the work that has been done.'
Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl.
. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
The Arizona Republic's Tiffany Acosta contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Rainbows Festival ends weekend of protests on a colorful note
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