Toronto Pride says sponsors bolting over Trumps anti-DEI push [Video]

The head of Canada’s largest Pride festival said major corporate sponsors, which also do business in the United States, have withdrawn support to avoid being seen as favorable to LGBTQ initiatives.

Kojo Modeste, the executive director of Toronto Pride, declined to name the companies that have severed ties with the festival since US President Donald Trump was elected.

But Modeste said the trend was “100 percent” related to Trump’s assault on programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

“We have seen major corporations withdraw their support from Pride,” Modeste told AFP. “Organizations are fearful of being marginalized, fearful of being targeted for supporting DEI, supporting (LGBTQ), supporting anti-racism initiatives.”

Modeste said there is a “common thread” to the types of explanations offered by companies, citing “shifting mandates” and financial strain as reasons for ending their partnerships with Pride.

The funding cuts “may have an impact in terms of how …