FERNDALE, Mich. – Amid the controversial DEI pushback, a major pride festival said it’s not seeing the same support from businesses as in the past.
Ferndale Pride is known for jumpstarting pride season in Metro Detroit.
The free event relies on generous sponsorship, but says the dollars aren’t trickling in like they used to. Now, questions loom on whether the celebrations will see changes this year.
The countdown to Ferndale Pride is approximately 100 days away, yet sponsors remain radio silence.
“We’ve had some sponsors come back and say, you know, we’re just not doing it this year,” said Julia Music, an executive director of Ferndale Pride. “We don’t have funding for that kind of thing anymore, even after 10 years of sponsorship and then some simply just not respond at all.”
The reception is troubling considering how sponsors cover the expenses needed to run the festivities, organizers said.
Music told Local 4 the group normally secures naming rights and a stage sponsor by Jan. 1.
As February winds down, she believes companies may be holding back.
The current snapshot comes as the Trump administration cracks down on DEI policies and programs from corporate America into the classroom.
During the president’s inaugural address, he revealed the U.S. would only recognize two genders: male and female.
“Once upon a time, people, people just like the people who come to this bar, were arrested for being in bars and being open. It all started with Stonewall [Inn],” said Toly Ashkenazi, managing partner and owner of SOHO and 215 W. “So, I think festivals like this really are important for visibility and representation, and especially to this community.”
The riot at Stonewall Inn marks a critical turning point for LGBTQ civil rights following a police raid at the New York City business.
The painful historical reminder prompted SOHO and 215 W to donate $6,000 to this year’s event, doubling their normal donations.
But Ferndale Pride said it needs more businesses to step up as it may have to consider scaling back.
“Will I make the cuts? Yes,” Music said. “Do I want to? Absolutely not.”
