Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke

The vibrant and historic Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March, a cornerstone of Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community, is gearing up for its 44th annual celebration on June 13-14, 2025. However, this year’s event comes with a bittersweet note as several major corporate sponsors, including Lowe’s, Walmart, Nissan, and Anheuser-Busch, have withdrawn their financial support, citing shifts in corporate priorities amid a broader national debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Despite this setback, organizers and community leaders are emphasizing resilience, community support, and the enduring spirit of Pride as they prepare for an expected 700,000 attendees to join the festivities under the theme “United in Power.”

A Shift in Corporate Support

Stonewall Columbus, the nonprofit organization behind the annual Pride March and Festival, has long relied on corporate sponsorships to fund its operations, which include year-round community programs and the high-profile June events that cost over $500,000 to produce. This year, however, the organization faces a funding shortfall of approximately $150,000 due to the withdrawal of several high-profile corporate sponsors. According to Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, the decision by companies like Lowe’s, Walmart, Nissan, and Anheuser-Busch reflects a broader trend of corporations scaling back DEI commitments in response to political and social pressures.

“These companies have been valued partners in the past, and their absence this year is disheartening,” Porteous said in a recent interview. “But we’re seeing this not just in Columbus but across the country, where political rhetoric is pressuring companies to retreat from initiatives that support marginalized communities.”

The pullback comes amid a wave of anti-DEI sentiment, fueled by both state and federal policy shifts. In Ohio, legislation targeting DEI programs in public institutions has gained traction, while at the national level, the Trump administration has taken steps to limit federal support for DEI initiatives. For instance, the administration’s decision to remove references to transgender and queer identities from the Stonewall National Monument’s messaging has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates, who see it as a direct attack on the community’s visibility.

Walmart, one of the withdrawing sponsors, issued a statement through spokesman Jimmy Carter, emphasizing a shift in focus toward supporting associates and customers rather than large-scale events. “Our priority is creating an environment where everyone feels they belong,” Carter said, noting that Walmart associates in Columbus will volunteer with local LGBTQ+ organizations during June. Similarly, Nissan cited a strategic review of marketing expenditures, stating, “We are reevaluating all sponsorships to maximize efficiency.” Lowe’s, which began scaling back DEI policies in August 2024, and Anheuser-Busch, which faced backlash for its 2023 partnership with a transgender influencer, did not respond to inquiries about their decisions.

Community Resilience and New Funding Sources

Despite the corporate pullback, Stonewall Columbus is not standing still. The organization recently received a significant boost from a $276,000 grant awarded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners in February 2025. This funding, part of the county’s DEI grant program, will support enhanced security measures for the Pride Festival and March, as well as year-round community programs. The grant comes at a critical time, as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has intensified, raising concerns about potential disruptions at public events. Porteous noted that the funds will help ensure a safe and inclusive environment for attendees, with increased coordination with the Columbus Division of Police to manage the event’s security.

Additionally, Stonewall Columbus secured a $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to install 10 new LGBTQ+ Ohio Historical Markers, further cementing its role as a cultural and historical steward for the community. These markers will highlight significant moments and figures in Ohio’s LGBTQ+ history, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to visibility and education.

Porteous emphasized that while corporate support is valuable, the heart of Pride lies in community engagement. “Pride isn’t just about corporate logos or floats—it’s about people coming together to celebrate who they are and to stand up for equality,” he said. To that end, Stonewall Columbus is encouraging community members and smaller businesses to step up, either through donations or by joining the march as part of registered groups. The organization has also launched a “Pride 365” campaign to secure sustaining donations, which have become increasingly vital as corporate funding wanes.

The Broader Context: DEI Under Fire

The withdrawal of corporate sponsors from Columbus Pride reflects a national trend. In recent years, companies across the United States have faced growing pressure to scale back DEI initiatives, particularly those supporting LGBTQ+ communities. According to a 2024 report by the Human Rights Campaign, 36% of Fortune 500 companies reduced their DEI budgets or programs in 2024, citing regulatory pressures and public backlash. This shift has had a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ organizations, which often rely on corporate partnerships to fund events and services.

In Ohio, the political climate has added further challenges. The Ohio General Assembly is currently considering a bill that would ban DEI initiatives in public universities, following the lead of states like Florida and Texas. Ohio State University, for example, announced in February 2025 that it would close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Center for Belonging and Social Change, prompting protests from students and faculty who argue that such closures undermine support for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ students.

Nationally, the Trump administration’s policies have amplified these challenges. The administration’s executive actions against DEI programs, coupled with its removal of transgender and queer references from federal platforms, have sent a chilling message to corporations wary of political backlash. “When elected officials at the highest levels signal that supporting our community is controversial, it creates a ripple effect,” Porteous said. “Companies start to see Pride sponsorships as a risk rather than an opportunity.”

A Celebration Rooted in Resistance

Despite these challenges, Stonewall Columbus remains steadfast in its mission to uplift the LGBTQ+ community. The 2025 Pride March, set to step off at 10:30 a.m. on June 14 from Broad Street and High Street, will follow its traditional route to Goodale Park, where the festival and resource fair will take place over two days. Organizers expect over 22,000 marchers, representing a diverse array of nonprofits, activists, and community groups, to participate.

This year’s theme, “United in Power,” reflects both a celebration of community strength and a nod to the protest roots of Pride, which began with the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Porteous emphasized that Pride is inherently political, even as it celebrates joy and identity. “The act of being visible, of showing up as your authentic self, is a form of resistance in a world that often tells us to hide,” he said.

The festival will feature performances by artists such as Bronze Avery, Figgy Baby, and Bitch, alongside a resource fair showcasing LGBTQ+-friendly businesses and organizations. Accessibility remains a priority, with Stonewall Columbus offering accommodations for individuals with disabilities and encouraging early contact to ensure full participation.

Looking Ahead

As Columbus Pride approaches, the community is rallying to fill the gap left by corporate sponsors. Local businesses, many of which have long supported Stonewall Columbus, are stepping up with donations and volunteer efforts. For example, McDonald’s local franchisees have expressed interest in maintaining their support, even as corporate-level backing fluctuates. Anheuser-Busch, while withdrawing direct sponsorship, facilitated a partnership with another beverage company to partially offset the loss.

Porteous remains optimistic about the future. “Pride has always been about community, not just corporations,” he said. “We’ve faced challenges before—whether it was the arrests of the Black Pride 4 in 2017 or the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in recent years—and we’ve come out stronger. This year will be no different.”

For the 700,000 expected attendees, the 2025 Columbus Pride Festival and March will be a testament to resilience, unity, and the enduring power of the LGBTQ+ community. As Porteous put it, “Pride is a reminder that we’re here, we’re visible, and we’re not going anywhere.”