Seattle Pride events face budget gaps after DEI rollbacks

SEATTLE - With the Trump administration axing DEI initiatives and causing hundreds of companies to follow suit, Pride events in Seattle have lost many sponsors, forcing them to turn to crowdfunding to keep the celebrations going.

Starting his first week in office, President Trump signed a number of executive orders targeting DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — programs in the public and private sector.

This prompted countless companies, like Seattle-based e-commerce giant Amazon, to cut off sponsorship dollars and public support for events like Seattle Pride and PrideFest.

Companies pull sponsorships for Seattle Pride events

By the numbers:

PrideFest organizers say one-third of their corporate sponsorship funding has vanished. They are hoping to raise $75,000 for Seattle PrideFest on GoFundMe.

"Those who are fighting against our community want us to go away or dim our light, but we aren't going anywhere or dimming anything," wrote organizers on GoFundMe. "We want more diversity, more color, MORE RAINBOW."

Organizers say the donations will go to security and artist payments. As of publication, they have already raised more than $4,350.

Seattle Pride similarly faces a staggering funding gap of $350,000.

"In the wake of DEI rollbacks and companies divesting from supporting our LGBTQIA2S+ communities, Seattle Pride is facing a significant funding gap of $350,000," wrote Pride organizers. "This comes at a time when attacks on our communities are escalating, and queer and trans people are being increasingly erased from public life and safe spaces."

Pride organizers say their funding also goes to private security, accessibility measures and paying artists.

Why you should care:

Both Seattle Pride and PrideFest are free events, and require major funding to keep it that way, organizers say.

The Seattle Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 29 from 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in Downtown Seattle, and PrideFest will be held on June 28 and 29 in both Capitol Hill and Seattle Center.

The Source: Information in this story comes from Seattle Pride and PrideFest organizers, with fundraiser confirmation from GoFundMe.