San Francisco is set to celebrate Pride 2025 without including social media giant, Meta. This will be the city’s 55th Pride celebration, aiming to highlight the LGBTQ+ community’s resistance to escalating political challenges.
Certainly, the chosen theme, Queer Joy is Resistance, is a direct response to the policies of the newly re-elected President Donald Trump. These changes include restrictions on trans athletes, limits on gender-affirming care and efforts to remove trans personnel from the military.
Speaking to ABC7, executive director of San Francisco Pride Suzanne Ford explained the decision to exclude Meta from the celebrations.
Ford commented that this year’s Pride will focus on values-driven participation, especially regarding corporate sponsorships. This shift saw San Francisco Pride ending its relationship with Meta.
The tech giant, including Facebook and Instagram, recently ended its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Meta also scaled back on content moderation policies.
“I’m both proud and sad that we don’t have a relationship with Meta. Meta will not be included.” Ford explained.
Google will still participate in celebrations
Additionally, Ford confirmed that companies like Google would still participate; however, their involvement will be scaled back.
This forms part of the attempt to allow nonprofit groups, especially local organisations, to take centre stage at the parade. Ford commented that this change isn’t a new one:
“In the last few years, we have pushed the corporations to the back of the parade,” Ford highlighted.
Pride 2025 Parade returns to protest origins
San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day Parade, founded in 1970, has grown into one of the world’s largest and most renowned celebrations. Up to 1 million visitors attend the event every year to party, enjoy concerts, and, ultimately, participate in the parade.
While festivities are abundant, this year’s parade seeks to return to its roots in resistance by advocating for gay civil rights. Ford has pointed to ongoing global and domestic attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, soit has been decided that the parade will return to its protest origins.
“We’re not saying, ‘Just have a good time and forget,’” Ford said.
Will you be joining the Pride 2025 celebrations? Let us know your opinion!
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