02-06-2025
These 14 corporations have stopped or scaled back sponsorship of LGBTQ+ Pride events
Denys_UA / Rukuta Project / calimedia / Pamela Brick /
Garnier micellar water bottle; Stack of Mastercard credit cards; Skyy Vodka bottle; Target store
When corporations got rid of their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, many also axed their commitments to LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Even before Donald Trump's executive orders terminating all DEI positions in the federal government, dozens of major companies had already abandoned their practices. Many made their decisions after conservatives online specifically targeted them for their policies and threatened boycotts, with failed filmmaker turned failed congressional candidate Robby Starbuck taking credit for spearheading the movement.
This withdrawal didn't just encompass inclusive work environments and hiring practices, or participation in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index — in abandoning DEI, companies also ceased many of their community partnerships. This included small businesses, minority- and women-owned businesses, and organizations supporting underserved groups: veterans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people.
As a result, many of the companies abandoning DEI have stopped sponsoring Pride Month events. Here are the companies that have walked back their support, some of them after decades of allyship.
ImagineerInc /
Anheuser-Busch products in store fridge
The brewer behind brands such as Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois declined to sponsor Pride in its home city of St. Louis after a partnership of over 30 years. DEI and outreach director, Jordan Braxton, told NBC News that St. Louis Pride was left $150,000 short of its goal, until donations from the community made up the difference within days.
The company also withdrew from San Francisco Pride and Columbus Pride. Anheuser-Busch, which was the target of a conservative boycott after simply sending a free beer to a transgender influencer, has not yet commented publicly on its backing out of Pride events.
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Booz Allen Hamilton building in Washington D.C.
U.S. government defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. dropped its sponsorship of WorldPride, which is being hosted in Washington, D.C. from May 17 to June 8., shortly after it ended its DEI programs.
Chief People Officer Aimee George Leary said during a virtual company town hall first viewed by Bloomberg : 'While our existing people programs comply with law, it is clear from [Trump's] executive orders and other public statements, that the definition of what's allowed is changing, so we must make changes. If we don't, we could be ineligible for contracts with the federal government. This would put our ability to operate and our company at risk.'
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Citi building in Warsaw, Poland
Banking giant Citi was one of the low-level donors that withdrew or scaled back its sponsorship of NYC Pride. Spokesperson Kevin Kilbride told The New York Times that 'the vast majority of what we have heard is that folks are treading carefully from an economic perspective."
Tada Images /
Comcast Xfinity car in neighborhood
Comcast was another major company that withdrew from San Francisco Pride, according to Ford. A spokesperson for the corporation would not comment on why it backed out, but noted to NBC that it is sponsoring other Pride celebrations in its home state of California, including Silicon Valley Pride, Oakland Pride, and some events at San Francisco Pride that are hosted by other nonprofits.
Patcharaporn Puttipon4289 /
Smirnoff vodka bottles in ice
Diageo, the company behind alcohol brands such as Baileys, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, and Smirnoff among others also withdrew from San Francisco Pride. A spokesperson told NBC that the company backed out due to some changes in the sponsorships budget for California, but that it would still be active in the city during June, and would be involved in Pride events around the country through its Smirnoff vodka brand.
darksoul72 /
Garnier body wash bottle
Heritage of Pride, the organization that produces New York City's annual Pride events, previously had five "Platinum" donors — those who had donated $175,000. This year, it has just one. Hair care company Garnier was one of the four "Platinum" donors that has withdrawn its support in 2025 after several years of sponsorship.
refrina /
Lowe's Home Improvement store
Lowe's Home Improvement withdrew its support for Pride Month events this year in Columbus, Ohio. Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Densil Porteous told The Columbus Dispatch that the $125,000 in lost donations was made up for by the community and their other partners.
"Those [companies] who probably only saw this opportunity as a marketing moment have backed down, and we are sorry to see them go," Porteous said. "But we are thankful for those partners who continue to support us."
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Mastercard logo on card
Mastercard was another one of NYC Pride's four "Platinum" donors that withdrew support after several years of sponsoring the celebration. However, the company will still be participating in the march and other events.
'Mastercard is a longstanding supporter of the many communities of which our employees are members, including the LGBTQIA+ community globally,' a spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal.
Jonathan Weiss /
Nissan car at dealership
Automaker Nissan was another one of the low-level donors that withdrew or scaled back its sponsorship of NYC Pride, while also withdrawing from San Francisco Pride and Columbus Pride.
A spokesperson told NBC that the company is 'currently reviewing all marketing and sales spending, including auto shows, sports properties and other entertainment activations, to maximize both efficiency and breakthrough effectiveness," adding, 'Nissan remains committed to promoting an inclusive culture for employees, consumers, dealers and other key stakeholders.'
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Pepsi bottles on store shelf
PepsiCo — which makes Aquafina, Cap'n Crunch, Cheetos, Doritos, Frito's, Gatorade, Lay's, Life, cereal, Lipton, Mountain Dew, Tostitos, and Quaker Oats among other snacks and drinks — was another one of the low-level donors that withdrew or scaled back its sponsorship of NYC Pride.
William Barton /
PricewaterhouseCoopers building
Consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers was another one of the low-level donors that withdrew or scaled back its sponsorship of NYC Pride, as first reported by WSJ.
calimedia /
Skyy Vodka bottles and cases
Skyy Vodka was another one of the four "Platinum" donors that either stopped or scaled back support, or asked for their involvement to go unpublicized, as first reported by The Times.
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Target shopping cart in parking lot
Target is the fourth "Platinum" donor to alter its commitment to Heritage of Pride. While the company is still "sponsoring NYC Pride at a level consistent with last year,' according to spokesperson Joe Unger, Kilbride told The Times that it is contributing as a 'silent partner' and requested not to be listed as a Platinum donor to avoid 'the publicity."
Conversely, after Target made the decision to drop DEI initiatives, the largest Pride festival in the company's home state of Minnesota decided to drop them as a sponsor. Twin Cities Pride raised over twice the amount pledged by Target in less than 24 hours.
Related: Target dropped DEI, so Minnesota's largest Pride festival dropped Target's sponsorship — and raised even more
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Walmart store
Walmart withdrew its sponsorship from Stonewall Columbus' Pride Month Events. The company said that store employees in the Columbus area will still be volunteering with community organizations, including LGBTQ+ organizations.
Spokesperson Jimmy Carter told The Dispatch that the company is focused on 'creating an environment where our associates and customers feel they belong.'
