Some companies are scaling back their involvement in gay “pride” events in the U.S. while still maintaining a presence, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Mastercard will not renew its “platinum” sponsorship of the NYC Pride March for 2025, according to the WSJ. The U.S.-based payment card services company has been a supporter of Heritage of Pride, the nonprofit organization that plans and produces the pro-LGBT New York City march, for the past several years, according to the outlet.
Still, Mastercard told the outlet that it was still planning to be involved in the 2025 New York City Pride March and other pride events.
“Mastercard is a longstanding supporter of the many communities of which our employees are members, including the LGBTQIA+ community globally,” a spokeswoman told the WSJ.
Some companies are planning to support the NYC Pride, such as by having branded booths at the event, the WSJ reported. Meanwhile, some other companies are supporting smaller pride events in other cities or funding private events, according to the outlet.
Heritage of Pride’s mission is to work “toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law,” according to its website.
Several other NYC Pride sponsors are not supporting the event this year, including food and beverage corporation PepsiCo and automobile manufacturer Nissan, according to the WSJ.
“We are currently reviewing all marketing and sales spending, including auto shows, sports properties and other entertainment activations, to maximize both efficiency and breakthrough effectiveness,” a Nissan spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Eve Keller, co-president of U.S. Association of Prides, told the WSJ that some companies that are still sponsoring Pride groups have asked that their names and logos be removed from official displays and apparel amid growing concerns over political repercussions.
“It’s multilayered, and it’s all happening at the same time,” Keller told the outlet.
The WSJ’s report comes amid reports of some companies scaling back their involvement in major pride events in the U.S. this year, including several longtime corporate sponsors backing out of supporting San Francisco Pride.
President Donald Trump has notably led a massive push to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government, schools and the private sector during his second term. A variety of major companies in the U.S. have scaled back their DEI policies over the past year amid political pressure and increasing public backlash from customers.
NYC Pride, Mastercard and PepsiCo did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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