Vancouver Pride Parade faces major cuts as corporate sponsors withdraw

The annual Vancouver Pride Parade will be smaller this year, with over half of its sponsors withdrawing from the event.

Vancouver, a city celebrated for its acceptance of Queer people, is now also experiencing a changing of times with multiple corporate sponsors who have supported the Pride Parade in past years now exiting the event. According to the Vancouver Pride Society, the 2024 Pride event contributed $900,000, whereas this year's contributions have fallen to $500,000. These sponsors include Walmart, which has contributed $400,000 in past years, and Lululemon.

"We've seen a significant political push against LGBT issues and against [equity, diversity and inclusion]," said Morgane Oger, secretary of Vancouver Pride Society, while on CBC's The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn. Oger further commented that companies are feeling strained due to the economy, and usually the first items to be cut from a budget are event sponsorship.

Vancouverites showing their pride at the annual Vancouver Pride Parade. Photo: Vancouver Pride Parade

North America has become increasingly conservative, specifically surrounding social issues, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. With the ongoing attempt at erasure through Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's amendment to the education act in 2024 by requiring parents to be notified if students under 15 are using a different pronouns or name than assigned at birth, and limiting 'coming of age' books that depict Queer relationships as well as drug and alcohol use. Furthermore, the increasing harm inflicted on 2SLGBTQIA+ people, especially trans-identifying individuals, through the Trump administration, is a concerning time to identify as anything but cisgender and heterosexual.

The parade route has been adjusted to reflect feedback from the previous year, which noted that the route was "just far too long" for both attendees and participants. The parade will be held on August 3, kicking off at 1 pm along Pacific Boulevard near B.C Place Stadium and finishing in Davie Village, where the Pride festival will take place.

Resources for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community:

https://whatsonqueerbc.com/woq-resources/bc-lgbtq-community-resources

https://www.transcarebc.ca/how-to-get-care/peer-support

https://itgetsbettercanada.org/get-help/