WorldPride 2025 a Go Despite Sponsorship Losses and Travel Challenges 

WorldPride 2025, a three-week celebration in Washington, D.C., May 17 to June 8, is proceeding despite sponsorship withdrawals and increased travel challenges.

According to Destination DC, Washington D.C.’s destination marketing organization, WorldPride 2025 is expected to be the city’s largest international event this year. It estimates it will generate $787 million in visitor spending. 

Organizers anticipate 3 million attendees, including 2 million overnight visitors and 1 million day visitors, said Ryan Bos, the executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance and WorldPride Washington, D.C. 

Travel Barriers

International attendance may be impacted by politics. 

On March 12, InterPride, a global network representing over 375 Pride organizations in more than 70 countries, issued a travel advisory citing a Trump administration executive order that says passports, visas, and Global Entry cards will recognize two sexes, male and female. 

"If your passport has ‘X’ as a gender marker or differs from your birth-assigned gender, we strongly recommend contacting the U.S. diplomatic mission before traveling to confirm entry requirements," the InterPride advisory states.

Several European countries, including Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and the U.K., have updated their travel advice for trans and nonbinary people visiting the U.S.

The African Human Rights Coalition is calling for a WorldPride boycott. "The United States is not a safe country for LGBTQI+ people to travel to in terms of entry, border-related issues, and internal policies," said Melanie Nathan, human rights advocate and executive director of the coalition.

Nathan emphasized that Pride events must continue but should return to their activist roots. 

Border Fears

Concerns extend beyond gender identity. A recent case involving a Canadian citizen detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for 12 days before being deported has heightened fears about border enforcement.

"Imagine what happened to her happening to a trans person coming to the U.S. for a Pride event. Given the current anti-trans climate in the U.S., detained transpeople will likely not be housed with their authentic gender,” said Nathan. 

Some groups are boycotting by not attending. Egale Canada, one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organizations, announced on Feb. 6 that its members will not participate in WorldPride and any other event in the U.S. because of Trump's policies.

Corporate backing is also taking a hit. Booz Allen Hamilton, a defense contractor and past supporter, has withdrawn financial backing. In addition, Deloitte, Comcast, and Darcars Automotive Group have also pulled sponsorships, according to the New York Times.

San Francisco Pride Loses Corporate Support

San Francisco Pride, set for June 28-29, is also feeling the strain. The event has lost approximately $260,000 in corporate sponsorship. Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride, the first openly transgender individual to lead the organization, remains determined. 

“We are trying to make our dollars stretch as far as possible as entertainment goes. What would be great is if a performer who professes to support the LGBTQ community would come and perform on our main stage and donate their services,” said Ford. “That alone can make up the shortfall for the sponsors pulling out.” 

San Francisco Pride is one of the world's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations. “I think everybody is going to be looking at San Francisco Pride this year to ensure we are still here,” said Ford. “Coming to San Francisco on Pride Sunday and marching down Market Street will be a clear signal to the Trump administration.”

The theme for this year's San Francisco Pride is "Queer Joy is Resistance." A reflection of Pride's origins as a protest and a celebration of resilience, said Ford. 

WorldPride’s theme is “The Fabric of Freedom.”  “Teachers, doctors, arts, cultures, all communities are being impacted by this administration. We are coming together to show support for the fact that we still value freedom in this country. Remind the world what freedom truly means and we all have the right to the fabric of freedom, our theme,” said Bos. 

Safety Measures and Security Preparations

With heightened tensions, Pride organizers are focused on safety.

WorldPride is working closely with D.C.'s Mayor’s Special Events Task Group, Metropolitan Police Department, Homeland Security, Capitol Police, and National Park Police. 

“Washington, D.C has extensive experience providing world-class security and hospitality for large-scale public events, and this will be no exception. The District continues to work diligently with community organizers and partners to ensure that WorldPride is a safe, accessible, and bold celebration of our community,” the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs shared with Skift Meetings.

Web surveillance, on-site security/police, aerial surveillance, and anti-scaling systems and barricades where applicable are being deployed.

“There will be security measures in place that we are not even aware of. We are augmenting D.C. security with our own private security that will be in both uniform and out of uniform. We will also be fencing in the festival area for the first time to make sure we protect our exhibitors and their valuable items and to provide controlled entrances to ensure our folks are safe,” said Bos. 

San Francisco Pride is taking extra precautions, increasing its security budget to over $600,000, said Ford. “We met with the San Francisco police department earlier than ever before because we know there may be an increased risk this year and we want to be even more vigilant,” said Ford.

San Francisco Pride will have walk-through metal detectors and handheld wands at the Civic Center and street fair. 

Bag size restrictions will be enforced, with limits set at 18 inches by 18 inches.

San Francisco Pride has launched a dedicated safety page with guidelines for attendees, while the San Francisco Police Department has also published Pride safety.