Pride Houston lost more than $180K in sponsorships because of concerns about DEI
Representatives of Pride Houston 365, which is hosting its annual downtown parade and festival Saturday, say they lost about 20 sponsors this year. Some of the continuing sponsors requested they no longer be publicized as supporters.
Rob Salinas/Houston Public Media
Thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Houston Saturday for an annual celebration of the city's LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Those who attend the Houston Pride parade and festival may notice a streamlined entertainment lineup, along with fewer corporate logos on display.
Representatives of Pride Houston 365, the nonprofit organization that has held the event for nearly 50 years, said they lost about 20 sponsors this year that accounted for more than $180,000 in funding. And some of the continuing sponsors requested they no longer be publicized as supporters.
The reason? Diversity, equity and inclusion policies have been banned at both the state and federal level, and the LGBTQ+ community has come under attack by political conservatives.