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Toronto Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Toronto's Pride parade is meant to be a celebration. But some participants say there's ‘a sense of heaviness'
Lee Dizon remembers last year's Pride parade in Toronto well. He, along with other members of SIBOL Filipino-Canadian Pride Network, danced and waved Filipino flags as they marched through the downtown streets. Crowds of people cheered from the sidewalks while music from other groups marching echoed between the surrounding skyscrapers. 'It was really a pivotal moment,' Dizon recalled, noting SIBOL was the first-ever Filipino organization to march in Toronto's annual Pride parade. It was also the group's one-year anniversary. Marching was also memorable on a personal level. 'We marched last year, yes, as a group,' Dizon said, 'but then we felt like each of us had our own stories to tell.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW SIBOL will be part of the Pride parade this year on June 29, but Dizon said there is 'a sense of heaviness' amid the excitement to march again. With Toronto's annual Pride parade and festival around Church Street just under three weeks away, news of corporate sponsors pulling their funding as they simultaneously roll back DEI programs have put a damper on the spirits of Dizon and others in the city's LGBTQ community during what is typically a time of celebration. Corporate sponsors turning their back on Pride is partially why Pride Toronto says it has $900,000 less this year compared to last. Star Exclusive Pride Toronto loses two more corporate sponsors just weeks before festival launch Ana Pereira Headlines coming out of the U.S., along with some from elsewhere in Canada, on governments targeting and pulling back protections for trans and gender-diverse people have also not helped people's moods. 'It feels like things are moving in the wrong direction,' said Curran Stikuts, director of advocacy and strategic communications for The 519 community centre in the Village. Since February, multiple past corporate supporters of Pride Toronto have pulled their funding, including Nissan, Google and Adidas. Meanwhile, The Abnormal Beauty Company (owned by Estée Lauder) and Tim Hortons lowered their contribution amounts. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW For its part, Pride Toronto says this year's festivities won't be noticeably different, even as the organization has fewer corporate sponsors and higher costs associated with running a large-scale event. 'We are moving ahead full steam,' Kojo Modeste, executive director of Pride Toronto, told the Star last week. But if the organization is not able to make up this loss of funding, Modeste warned that the 2026 celebrations will be affected. At a press conference Wednesday, the director noted that some have stepped up to fill the gap — including the City of Toronto, local businesses and individual people who have donated more than $10,000 — but Modeste appealed for more help. 'This is an opportunity,' he said, 'to come and support to make sure that Pride remains a staple in the city of Toronto.' Millions of people come to Toronto every year for the Pride festival at the end of June, and Pride Toronto says its event is the largest in Canada and second biggest in the world. This year's festival will start on June 26, with most of the events and parades taking place from June 27 to 29. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gta Thousands sing, dance and celebrate at Pride Parade until protesters strand marchers and floats mid-route Mark Colley Queer people from around the GTA told the Star that news of corporations pulling back their support in Toronto and elsewhere is concerning, but that it has reminded them of Pride's origins as a resistance movement — which dates back to the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969. 'For some it is a party,' said Alyy Patel, founder of Queer South Asian Women's (QSAW) Network. 'But that party has always been grounded in very political roots.' For Patel, Pride has always meant coming together with other queer people, particularly women of colour, to feel liberated in a 'powerful space.' Jansher Saeed added that this year's Pride is an important reminder that the queer community can't become too dependent on corporations for support. 'It's more crucial for us to think of Pride as a protest,' he said, 'as a space where we can build community and where we can support one another, especially in a hard time.' There has been a 'real hunger' from community members at The 519 for these opportunities to be around other queer people, according to Stikuts. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We recognize as a community the need for that joy in these moments that feel a little bit more perilous,' he said, adding that people just want to 'play and have fun.' As SIBOL prepares to march in its second Pride parade in a changed cultural climate, Dizon said corporations and governments turning their backs on the queer community shouldn't stop him and others from celebrating their identities in public. If anything, it's a reason to keep making their voices heard. 'The fight doesn't stop here,' Dizon said, 'We have a long, long way to go. So continue fighting and continue moving.'
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto Pride says no ‘noticeable differences' to events despite $900k funding gap
TORONTO - The organization behind Toronto's Pride events says there won't be any noticeable changes to this month's programming despite a six-figure funding gap. Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste says the festival faces a $900,000 shortfall that is likely to impact programming next year. Modeste says the funding gap was caused by corporate sponsors pulling their support and the rising costs of running the festival. Modeste says some sponsors are not returning as American companies move away from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that have been under attack by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Other Canadian sponsors, including Shopper's Drug Mart and No Frills, have stepped up in the face of Pride Toronto's financial woes. Toronto's Pride parade will take place on June 29. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Toronto Pride says no ‘noticeable differences' to events despite $900k funding gap
The organization behind Toronto's Pride events says there won't be any noticeable changes to this month's programming despite a six-figure funding gap. Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste says the festival faces a $900,000 shortfall that is likely to impact programming next year. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Modeste says the funding gap was caused by corporate sponsors pulling their support and the rising costs of running the festival. Modeste says some sponsors are not returning as American companies move away from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that have been under attack by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Other Canadian sponsors, including Shopper's Drug Mart and No Frills, have stepped up in the face of Pride Toronto's financial woes. Toronto's Pride parade will take place on June 29.
Winnipeg Free Press
11-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto Pride says no ‘noticeable differences' to events despite $900k funding gap
TORONTO – The organization behind Toronto's Pride events says there won't be any noticeable changes to this month's programming despite a six-figure funding gap. Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste says the festival faces a $900,000 shortfall that is likely to impact programming next year. Modeste says the funding gap was caused by corporate sponsors pulling their support and the rising costs of running the festival. Modeste says some sponsors are not returning as American companies move away from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that have been under attack by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Other Canadian sponsors, including Shopper's Drug Mart and No Frills, have stepped up in the face of Pride Toronto's financial woes. Toronto's Pride parade will take place on June 29. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
Toronto Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Pride Toronto insists it's 'full steam ahead' after corporate sponsors jump ship
Toronto's Pride Parade winds its way through the city's streets on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Photo by Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS Executive director Kojo Modeste said Pride Toronto is disappointing that two more sponsors — Google and Home Depot — have dropped out in the last month, but that the setback shouldn't affect this year's festivities that launched Monday night with the raising of the Pride Month flag at City Hall. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We already have our commitments with our artists and so for 2025, we're full steam ahead and we do hope that we will able to recover some monies where the shortfall is,' said Modeste. 'At this time, there is no additional changes to the festival.' Next year, said Modeste, is still 'definitely up for debate right now in terms of what we can expect next year in terms of changes.' The non-profit first heard about Google's withdrawal May 1, while Home Depot's decision was disclosed to them May 28. Modeste said neither sponsor said why those decisions were made and queries to both companies from the Toronto Sun went unanswered by Monday evening. 'Just for these two, we're looking at $77,000 (less),' said Modeste. 'It's $47,000 for Google and $30,000 for Home Depot. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was more disappointed (than surprised) with the timing of the withdrawal. We had a verbal commitment from Google, but we also had an email confirming Home Depot would be returning as a sponsor.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Modeste said Pride Toronto is looking at a $700,000 overall shortfall due to other corporate sponsorship losses or funding reductions in recent months. He sees it as part of a trend with a lot of non-profits in North America fearing backlash from the Trump administration in the U.S. 'Speaking to some of my colleagues in the U.S., they're seeing the same thing,' said Modeste. 'I believe that a lot of this has to do with the decisions coming out of the White House, I think, with regard to the queer community. These American-based companies are strongly afraid of the backlash that they will receive from the current administration. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It also sends a very clear message as to who is with us genuinely versus those that are in just as a window dressing. You know, who are these corporate sponsors? Who are pink-washing? Who are those that are just there for the performance? It's a very performative act. They're only in it when it's 'pretty.' But now because it's less pretty in the U.S., folks are turning away.' Modeste confirmed the City of Toronto is providing a $90,000 grant for 2025 through its the Cultural Festivals Funding Program in addition to the $260,000 it already approved for a total of $350,000 to date. Pride Toronto is the largest festival of its kind in North America, second only in the world to Brazil with three million people expected to visit the city in June and the Pride Parade final weekend drawing about two million people. 'For individuals, corporations, Canadians who have not donated in the past, this is great opportunity and maybe they would like to support and can reach out,' said Modeste. Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Olympics Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Celebrity
