Latest news with #PhillyPride365
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Target says Philly Pride 365 rejected its sponsorship
Organizers for Philadelphia's Pride Month kickoff last weekend rejected Target's offer to sponsor the event, a company spokesperson tells Axios. The big picture: Pride organizers across the U.S. are reevaluating sponsorships as corporate America pulls back from supporting LGBTQ+ events. Context: Despite boasting more than three dozen sponsors, big corporate backers were missing from Philly's big Pride weekend this year. Those included Wawa, Target, AARP and Burlington, all of which backed the festival last year. Driving the news: Target told Axios in a statement that the company offered to be an official sponsor of Philly Pride 365, but was "informed that they were not entering agreements with corporate entities this year." Philly Pride 365 declined to comment on the matter. Wawa, AARP and Burlington did not respond to Axios' requests for comment. The Urban Affairs Coalition, which recently took over managing Philly Pride 365 and is the event's new fiscal sponsor, didn't immediately return requests for comment. Context: In the past, the budget for Philly's Pride weekend has been paid for through sponsors, vendors, grants and donations, per the Inquirer. Between the lines: Target has faced backlash over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as removing Pride merchandise from its shelves in recent years.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Philly Pride Organization Told Target Sponsors To Kick Rocks
Philly Pride 365 declined to work with the nationally boycotted retailer, Target. According to Axios, the Philadelphia organization turned down the mega-corporation's sponsorship for its Pride Month Kickoff. Target confirmed the organization rejected its offer, stating 'that they were not entering agreements with corporate entities this year.' Philly Pride 365 has secured multiple sponsors, many of which are local. The organization is working with NRG, Penn Medicine, and the Philadelphia Union. Deciding against working with the brand comes as no surprise to many. Target has been the target of a national boycott since doing away with its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in 2025. While Target hopes to lure patronage with the gesture, other companies are stepping back. Nationwide, 39% of corporations are scaling back external Pride Month engagements this year, according to Gravity Research data. Dangling dollars during Pride may appear supportive, yet the continued elimination of DEI initiatives is even more so. As the company sends a message that inclusion is not a priority, Black, POC, and LGBTQIA organizations have decided to fall back. The company has seen a 7% decrease in sales over the course of the first quarter of 2025. This Pride season, the company has decided not to feature Pride merchandise as it has done in previous years. Similarly, the company has removed many of its Black-owned merchandise from shelves. While many Black businesses have fully supported the boycott, brand influencer Tabitha Brown has received backlash for her seemingly continued support of Target. The author and actress was caught in a firestorm of backlash after encouraging her fans to continue shopping at the retailer. While Brown's message emphasized supporting the remaining Black brands at Target, many took offense at the suggestion. Not to be deterred, the Donna's Recipe founder posted a video doubling down on her statements. Ironically, she believes her support of the conglomerate is a byproduct of uplifting Black people. 'To all the people in the comments and my DMS with your uneducated hate messages…There is no amount of hate and ignorance that is going to stop me from using my platform and my voice to support and uplift small businesses, Black-owned businesses, Black content creators, and Black authors,' Brown said. As many companies drop their commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, those communities are dropping their allegiance to these companies. Not all money is good money, and organizations like Philly Pride 365 are making that abundantly clear. RELATED CONTENT: Tabitha Brown Claps Back At Haters: 'No Amount Of Hate Will Stop Me From Uplifting Black Creators' As Target Boycott Impacts Authors
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
2025 Philly Pride March and Festival takes over city streets: "I see nothing but love"
Thousands of people came together to fill city streets to show off their pride at the 2025 Philadelphia Pride March and Festival. "I see nothing but love, it's crazy out here, but we're all having a great time," Daron Summiel said. "It feels like equality, it feels like it's what life should be," Dennis Cannady said. The day started with the Pride March up Walnut Street as participants carried a 600-foot rainbow flag. "It's really emotional to see everyone come together because sometimes we feel so divided," Angelique Kopacz said. The streets around 11th and Locust then swelled for the Pride Festival featuring food, music, merchandise and more. David Weisburg is the chief development officer for the Mazzoni Center, a nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community. He said showing up now is more important than ever before. "After so much progress that's been made over so long, it's scary to think that there are rights that are being threatened," Weisberg said. Gabrielle Caplan-Mayer came to support her son. "I think, like many parents of trans kids, we want them just to have the acceptance and dignity of any young person, of any human being," she said. This year's Pride fest is even bigger than ever, expanding all the way down to Walnut Street, and with picture-perfect skies, organizers are expecting this to be a record turnout. "I think we have over 200 vendors, over 45 food trucks, 6 or 7, 8 stages, I don't even know anymore, there's so many things going on," Philly Pride 365 producer Jeremy Williams said. For Williams, these crowds prove pride is here to stay in a very big way. "Everybody just wants us to be proud. We're all here together to be proud, and the community is growing, it's not shrinking," Williams said.
News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
From Gayborhood to Glory: Why Philadelphia Is a Must-Visit LGBTQ+ Destination
Last Updated: Philadelphia preserves many historically and culturally important sites related to the LGBTQ+ community while building a strong social voice through various local businesses. Philadelphia is known as one of the most LGBTQ+- friendly destinations in the world with a rich history in queer pride, activism, and a thriving community which is integral to the city's cultural fabric. Along with numerous events and celebrations, Philadelphia preserves many historically and culturally important sites related to the LGBTQ+ community while building a strong social voice through various local businesses. Each year, Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community comes together for a series of celebrations, parades, and demonstrations including the Philadelphia Black Pride Celebration in April and Philly Pride 365 events throughout the year. The Philadelphia Pride March and Festival in June is an annual festival featuring live musical performances and a Pride Walk. The event starts with a march to Philadelphia's Gayborhood, where festivities await. Various vendors are stationed throughout, selling art, jewellery, and gifts. The all-day block party also features live performances, LGBTQ+ community resources, and a beer garden. Look out for special events, menus, and more from restaurants, bars, clubs, and attractions around Philadelphia during Pride Month. Pride celebrations in Philadelphia are not limited to June. OURfest – dedicated and inspired by National Coming Out Day – takes place during the first weekend in October. The weekend-long celebration includes the OURfest National Coming Out Parade, which features a giant rainbow flag, floats, displays, and live entertainment. Following the parade, the OURfest National Coming Out Block Party and Festival takes over Philadelphia's Gayborhood. The event includes hundreds of vendors, artists, restaurants, food trucks, and community organizations. This section of Center City is home to numerous LGBTQ+-owned shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Along with a charming community feel and those rainbow street signs, you will find rainbow crosswalks throughout the Gayborhood. A great way to learn more about the neighbourhood and Philadelphia's history is to take a Philly Gayborhood and LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour. Along the way, snap a photo of one of the city's LGBTQ+ murals, including Mural Arts Philadelphia's Pride and Progress by Ann Northrup, located at 1315 Spruce Street. LGBTQ+ Businesses When visiting the Gayborhood, make dinner reservations at one of the eateries operated by restaurateurs Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran. The married duo is the heart and soul behind restaurants like Barbuzzo, a Mediterranean spot offering wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. Philadelphia is also home to many other LGBTQ+-owned restaurants such as Mission Taqueria with a Mexican-inspired menu and the neighbouring Oyster House serving some of the best seafood in Philadelphia. Indulge your sweet tooth with a pastry from Cake Life Bake Shop, a trans-owned bakery in the heart of Fishtown or grab a coffee from One Shot Cafe, known for serving artfully crafted caffeinated drinks in Northern Liberties. Philadelphia also boasts an impressive array of LGBTQ+-owned storefronts, boutiques, and other businesses. Along 13th Street in the Gayborhood, shop for quirky Philadelphia-themed gifts at Open House or head across the street to browse home goods, apparel, and jewellery at Verde. In Northern Liberties, stop by Trunc, a gay-owned, female-owned, Black-owned, and Veteran-owned boutique and gift shop. The Gayborhood is home to numerous culturally significant sites, including Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room, the country's first LGBT-focused bookstore. Philly AIDS Thrift, which now owns Giovanni's Room, has another location that sells used clothing and home goods, with proceeds benefiting local HIV/AIDS organizations. Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ History Before the historic Stonewall Riots energized the modern gay rights movement worldwide, a significant event unfolded in Philadelphia. On July 4, 1965, a group of protesters initiated a pride march in front of Independence Hall. This demonstration was the beginning of a series of protests known as the 'Annual Reminders," which raised awareness that the LGBTQ+ community still did not have basic civil rights. This is often considered the flashpoint of the modern gay civil rights movement. Today, this early display of LGBTQ+ activism is commemorated with a historical marker at the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets. Other LGBTQ+ historical markers can be found in the city. There is one for Alain Locke, known as the 'Father of the Harlem Renaissance" for promoting African American artists, writers, and musicians. Another one is for Gloria Casarez, Latina lesbian civil rights leader and Philadelphia's first director of LGBT Affairs. And one for Philadelphia Gay News (PGN), one of the most awarded weekly newspapers in the U.S. Learn more about Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community and its history at the William Way LGBT Community Center, which was created to support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Today, they offer literary programs, art exhibitions, and over 14,000 books in the centre's library. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 22, 2025, 15:05 IST
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Philadelphia's 2025 Pride weekend will feature 600-foot Progress Pride flag, largest in U.S., organizers say
The largest Progress Pride flag in the U.S. will return and be even larger in 2025 as Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community and allies gather for the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival. Organizers with Philly Pride 365 have already announced a ton of plans for the kickoff weekend starting Friday, May 30, but more announcements are coming in the next one to two weeks, including performers, stage locations and food truck and vendor lists. The group says this year's Pride Month is extra special in Philadelphia — it marks 50 years since former Pennsylvania Gov. Milton Shapp signed an executive order making the Keystone State the first to prohibit discrimination toward LGBTQ+ state employees. The order was later expanded to include state contractors as well. Advocates have called for the Pennsylvania Senate to pass the Fairness Act, a bill that ensures equal protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. Philly Pride 365 When is the 2025 Philadelphia Pride Parade? Pride Weekend in Philadelphia features several events leading up to the June 1 Pride March, not a parade. Things kick off with the Pride Around the City event on Friday, May 30. During this event, the massive Progress Pride flag will make its way to several major landmarks around the city. The flag will be 600 feet long this year, longer than an average Center City block. Last year's 400-foot Pride flag stretched down all the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, so it'll be interesting to see how Pride Around the City handles the extra 200 feet of fabric! The Philadelphia Pride Flag seen on Independence Mall in 2023. Philly Pride 365 The 600-foot flag will be the largest pride flag in Philly history and may set a record for the biggest pride flag in Pennsylvania. It was designed for the 2025 Philly Pride March and made in the state. Saturday, the day after Pride Around the City, features the LUV (Legacy, Unity, Visibility Awards) and the Pride Promenade held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Sunday's Pride March will kick off from 6th and Walnut streets at 10:30 a.m. and end in the Gayborhood. Philly Pride 365 says the exact route is still being finalized and will be revealed closer to the date of the march. The events this year have a new fiscal sponsor, the Urban Affairs Coalition. Philadelphia Pride Festival is larger this year Following the march, the Philadelphia Pride Festival is happening from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The festival area will extend from Walnut Street down to Pine and from Juniper Street east to Quince Street. The festival will feature entertainment zones with stages, a youth and family zone with drag story time, a "sober vibes zone" that's alcohol-free, a sensory-friendly zone and the Sapphic Way. There's no admission or registration required to attend the festival, and food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Watch out for road closure announcements closer to the event. What is the Progress Pride Flag and how is it different from the traditional rainbow flag? The most common rainbow Pride flag has six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, royal blue and purple. The late activist Gilbert Baker is widely credited for creating this flag in 1978, originally with eight stripes. The redesign and cut to six stripes happened in part due to a shortage of commercially available pink fabric and a desire to keep the number of stripes even. According to the Human Rights Campaign, the Progress Pride Flag features all the colors of the traditional flag with additional white, pink and light blue stripes to represent the transgender community, and black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQ+ people of color. The black stripe is also a memorial to the thousands of people who died during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, HRC says.
