Latest news with #2025Pride
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Woolworths roll out Pride campaign
Woolworths have launched their 2025 Pride campaign. Images via Instagram: @woolworths_sa Woolworths has rolled out its 2025 Pride campaign in-store and on its social media platforms. But while they have kept the display of their merchandise subdued as compared to previous years, shoppers have continued to criticise the retailer. ADVERTISEMENT On their social media accounts, Woolworths shared a glimpse of their 2025 Pride campaign, which celebrates the month of LGBTQI rights. The range features clothing and merchandise featuring the LGBTQ flag and the words 'South Africa' emblazoned with the rainbow colours. On its official Instagram and Facebook accounts, Woolworths turned off the comments. However, social media users used the X platform to share their views. X user @TheArtist1988 posted: '2025 and Woolworths still celebrating s*d*my. Why should God bless South Africa when His own people (Christians) can't resist supporting Woolworths?' ADVERTISEMENT @AfrikanerHart posted: 'I think Woolworths has learnt their lesson about shoving rainbows down our throats this month. They must have taken a financial hit last year with their woke movement'. @PolyannaBrey added: 'They are not allowing comments on the post. I wonder why?' CORPORATE COMPANIES SCALE BACK CAMPAIGNS Meanwhile, CNN has stated that corporations worldwide, particularly in the US, are scaling back their Pride campaigns. This follows public backlash and their brands being compromised as a result. Ryan Bos of Capital Pride Alliance said: 'They made the decision that to protect their business, they did not want to risk the backlash,' said Although Pride is celebrated in South Africa in February, the NGO Triangle Project hopes the month will raise awareness and create a more 'inclusive world for everyone.' ADVERTISEMENT WHAT DOES WOOLWORTHS SAY? The South African attempted to contact Woolworths for comment. None has been received at the time of publishing. Last year, the retailer stated that the campaign encouraged the public to 'own, express, and celebrate their identity.' It added: 'Our Pride campaign is part of the Woolworths Inclusive Justice Initiative – acting against discrimination and marginalisation.' WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WOOLWORTHS'S PRIDE CAMPAIGN? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Birmingham Pride 2025: Who is performing and where is it taking place in the city?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Birmingham for the city's 2025 Pride, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities. The two-day festival takes place on Saturday 24th May and Sunday 25th May. Organisers say the event, which is in its 28th year, could attract around 40,000 people over the weekend. In previous years, more than 25,000 people have attended across both days, with 8000 participants in the parade and an estimated 75,000 people watching throughout the city. This year, political parties are banned from participating, due to controversy over the Supreme Court's ruling that excludes trans women from the legal definition of a 'woman'. When and where is the parade? The whole event begins with the parade, which kicks off at noon on Saturday, 24 May, from Centenary Square. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the starting point at 11am. The parade will make its way through the city centre and end in Birmingham's Gay Village, where the main festival activities will be held. The theme this year is 'Love has no limits', and anyone can watch the parade for free. Applications to enter the parade have now closed. What happens after the parade? A street party will take place over Saturday and Sunday in the Gay Village: Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Kent Street and Lower Essex Street. There will be community market stalls and food vendors around the city's LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. At the Smithfield festival site in Digbeth there will be performances on the main stage, dance arena, cabaret stage and community stage. Is it free? The parade is free but the street party in the Gay Village and performances at Smithfield will be ticketed. Children who are 11 and under go free, but will still need to book a ticket for these areas. There is a free community event at Smithfield on Friday (23 May), which will involve speakers, live music and food stalls. Although the event is free, tickets still need to be booked online. Since the first charged-for event in 2015, the Birmingham festival has been awarding grants to LGBTQ+ communities and support organisations, as well as other culture groups and charities. Who is in the line-up for the main stage? Those confirmed to perform on the main stage this year include: Clean Bandit Cascada Bananarama Vengaboys Alexandra Burke Claire Richards The Wanted Una Healy Clementine Douglas Moonchild Sanelly Kitty Scott-Claus Catty Tom Rasmussen Tribute acts will be performing on other stages. Why are political parties banned this year? Organisers have banned political parties from participating in Birmingham Pride in 2025, due to controversy over the Supreme Court's ruling that the legal definition of a 'woman' is based on biological sex, excluding trans women. It joined hands with Brighton, London and Manchester Pride organisers in calling for all political parties to protect trans people. In a statement, Birmingham Pride said: "What is happening here in the UK is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing global trend - from banning of Pride events in Hungary to anti-trans legislation in the United States - where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back." It added: "Know that this is not a symbolic gesture. It is a direct call for accountability and a refusal to platform those who have not protected our rights. We demand real commitments and measurable progress." The Prime Minister has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it brings "clarity" but said his government will "ensure trans people are treated with respect".
Axios
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Faith leaders want religious groups to "recommit to Pride"
A coalition of faith leaders is urging religious organizations to openly show their support for LGBTQ+ people ahead of this year's Pride Month. Why it matters: The effort comes as corporations are pulling support for Pride events and as GOP-led states are pushing laws banning Pride flags and at least 10 states have introduced bills banning marriage equality. The big picture: This year's Pride Month comes amid uncertainty after President Trump signed an executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion, prompting DEI walk-backs from companies. Driving the news: In a letter with a pledge obtained by Axios, the mostly left-leaning faith leaders said "2025 Pride will test the courage of our nation" and "too often religion is used to attack LGBTQ+ people." The leaders said millions of dollars are being spent "targeting our Trans siblings" and promoting bills like those banning marriage equality. "We, who are from diverse faith traditions and beliefs, are showing up and refusing to back down. We support the LGBTQ+ community, and we Recommit to Pride," the letter said. The leader said they would speak out with public prayers, bold statements, and visible acts of support for the LGBTQ+ community and urged other faith leaders to sign the pledge. Zoom in: Interfaith Alliance is organizing the campaign. The open pledge to be released Tuesday has already been signed by groups like the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Hindus for Human Rights and Muslims for Progressive Values. State of play: Trump issued his anti-DEI order, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is rushing to ban transgender troops from the U.S. military under pressure from evangelicals and conservative Catholics. Both were among Trump's strongest supporters in the 2024 election. The orders and moves by the administration have resulted in several companies ending DEI programs and stopping supporting Pride events. Zoom out: Mastercard, Citi, Pepsi, Nissan and PwC pulled sponsorship of NYC Pride. Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte pulled out of WorldPride Washington, D.C., Axios' Eleanor Hawkins reports. Anheuser-Busch, Comcast and Diageo also stopped sponsoring San Francisco Pride. Meanwhile, Minneapolis' Twin Cities Pride rejected Target's sponsorship dollars citing wishy-washy support of the LGBTQ+ community and its DEI rollbacks. By the numbers: 39% of corporations are scaling back external Pride Month engagements this year, according to Gravity Research data. This is a sharp increase from last year when only 9% said they were changing their external Pride engagement. 57% of companies that are federal contractors plan to reduce external engagement, highlighting the risk of federal investigations. What they're saying: "This Pride, it is more urgent than ever that we lock arms with our neighbors and build a community of solidarity," Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of GLSEN, an education LGBTQ advocacy organization, said in a statement. "In a moment when the fundamental rights and physical safety of LGBTQ+ people are under in Public Life joins in honoring Pride and recommitting to our continued advocacy," Jeanné Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life, said. "It's more important than ever for communities of faith to make absolutely clear our solidarity and support," said Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. Friction point: The risk for engaging around LGBTQ+ issues has increased 42% since this time last year, per Gravity Research's insights.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major sponsors pull out of SF Pride, creating $1.3 million funding shortfall: ‘It stings for anybody to desert us'
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Five major corporate sponsors have pulled out of San Francisco's 2025 Pride celebration, creating more than a million-dollar gap in funding. The director of SF Pride said the Trump administration has disrupted funding efforts. Woman kidnapped on camera in Oakland still missing Sponsors Comcast, Anheuser-Busch, Benefit Cosmetics, Diageo and La Crema have dropped out. These five companies represent $1.3 million dollars in much needed funding. Wine company La Crema is still in talks with SF Pride to possibly return as a sponsor. 'It definitely felt like the rug was being pulled from under you, but I think we're going to find some new sponsors, some new partners,' said Suzanne Ford, executive director for San Francisco Pride. 'We're not going to give up. We're going to knock on every door in this city. We have don't have a choice; we're going to have the event.' Recently, the event cut ties with local and long-time sponsor Meta due to a lack of fact-checking online and the elimination of DEI programs. 'The backtracking on rights for the LGBTQ community certainly have to be part of any cooperation's calculus on whether they give us money so I can't pinpoint the exact reason, but, as we all know now, it's more difficult than ever to stand up and say you support rights of LGBTQ people,' said Ford. Ford is hopeful other companies will step up, but she says it's disappointing to see long-time relationships severed due to a souring climate in Washington. 'It's coming from all sides for us,' said Ford. 'And we're going to remember who stood by us and this is going to swing back. This won't last forever; we're going to fight and we're going to be okay, but right now it stings for anybody to desert us.' KRON4 has reached out to all five companies but did not hear back in time for this report. SF Pride also released an official statement which reads: At SF Pride, we understand the need to balance corporate sponsorships with our community's needs. Our goal is to ensure pride remains a place for authentic LGBTQ+ representation and economic power. Sponsorships enable us to make things happen—whether hiring queer staff, underwriting community initiatives, or supporting small LGBTQ+ owned businesses. SF Pride isn't just a celebration; it's an economic engine for San Francisco, and we're committed to leveraging partnerships that align with our mission and core values. To show your support, donate at SF Pride SF Pride will take place on June 28 and June 29 with the parade on that Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
