The impact of Donald Trump’s anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rhetoric is now being felt north of the border, as major sponsors have pulled out of Pride Toronto. Google and Home Depot are the latest to abandon the festival, joining Nissan, Adidas, and Clorox, creating a significant financial shortfall for the organizers.
Kojo Modeste, executive director of Pride Toronto, received abrupt, one-line emails from Google and Home Depot, signaling their immediate withdrawal. The loss of these prominent sponsorships is a severe blow, as they are crucial for funding staff, supporting a multitude of local artists, and ensuring the festival remains free for its three million annual attendees.
Modeste conveyed his profound concern for the festival’s long-term viability, stating his worry about potentially having to “drastically cut what the festival looks like for 2026.” He emphasized the importance of preserving the festival’s scale and accessibility for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for younger generations.
Professor Sui Sui of Toronto Metropolitan University, whose research focuses on DEI, supports the assertion that the current political climate is influencing corporate decisions. She notes that the “chill” around sponsors for Pride events is also affecting major US cities, highlighting a widespread corporate re-evaluation of their public stances in the face of political pressure.