Pride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøorganizers said they’re cautiously optimistic about funding challenges as they kicked off the 2025 festival reveal.
Three top sponsors dropped their support earlier this year. ButÌýPride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøexecutive director Kojo Modeste said four new Toronto-based sponsorsÌýand two unions have stepped up to fund the festival, providing over $300,000 in new sponsorship. Modeste didn’t provide the names of these new funders, but said there’s still a sponsorship shortfall.Ìý
In April, the city announced more than $2.5 million for 64 º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøfestivals including Pride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍø— aÌý33 per cent increase in program funding compared to last year. Pride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøis alsoÌýintroducing a donation program this year where Pride-goers can provide a donation — big or small — to support the festival.Ìý
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In February, the Star reported on the three sponsors’ withdrawal, includingÌýNissan Canada. This came amid a massive corporate push against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the U.S. under President Donald Trump.Ìý
Speaking about the sponsors who pulled out, Modeste said Thursday that it seemed “they thought they were taking us off life support, but what they did was actually give us life.”
The 2025 festival reveal Thursday morning at the CN Tower brought together dozens of LGBTQ community members and allies who belted outÌýChappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” in a performance by local drag queen Baby Bel Bel, and another dance by Toronto’s drag diva Lady Nova. It was a sneak peak of what’s to come at the 45th Pride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøFestival in June.Ìý
This year’s festival theme is “All In,” what Jaden Slawter, Pride Toronto’s media and communications manager, described as a “call to action in solidarity,” a “cry for connection and a celebration of shared strength in the face of today’s challenges.”
“We are all witnessing the terrible, horrendous and reprehensible global rise of hate towards 2SLGBTQ+ people,”ÌýCapaldi said. “We’re watching the hard-won rights be rolled back and still, we show up. And that is exactly what ‘All In’ is all about.”
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Emotions were high when Modeste gave a closing statement, clapping back at the sponsors who halted funding Pride Toronto.
“We need to send a loud and clear message. This is not just happening in the U.S., folks. On April 28th (during the federal election), many of us were glued to our TV because we were hoping that the election results in Canada would not be a repeat of what we saw in the U.S.,” Modeste said.
Although budget cuts have been challenging, the festival’s programming will host 100 events and have 300 acts over the month of June; 99 per cent of the acts are Canadian. There will be 28 “major cultural events” throughout June including the return of the CN Tower Drag brunch and the pool partyÌýat Cabana Poolbar.ÌýThe 2025 Pride º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøFestival Weekend will be June 26-29.Ìý
Asma Sahebzada is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter
for the Star. Reach her via email: asahebzada@thestar.ca
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