Tel Aviv Pride was canceled due to Iran airstrikes, the World Bank resumed its loans to Uganda, and sponsors exit Pride Toronto amid DEI backlash.
Tel Aviv Pride Canceled Amid Iran Airstrikes
Tel Aviv officials canceled a Pride parade following Israeli airstrikes on Iran that escalated regional tensions.
The strikes reportedly targeted military and nuclear facilities, killing two Iranian nuclear scientists and one leader of the Revolutionary Guard. In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones at Israel, which the Israel Defense Forces say were intercepted.
According to The Washington Blade, the parade, which had featured Caitlyn Jenner as guest of honor, was called off after consultations with LGBTQ activists. “In light of security concerns and the gravity of recent events, we felt it was the responsible decision,” said a city spokesperson.
This marks the second year in a row the Tel Aviv Pride parade has been canceled.
World Bank Resumes Loans to Uganda
Photo via Pixabay.
The World Bank has resumed lending to Uganda, ending a 2023 suspension imposed after the country passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” On June 5, the Bank approved three new projects in social protection, education, and refugee support.
“We have now determined the mitigation measures rolled out over the last several months in all ongoing projects in Uganda to be satisfactory,” a World Bank spokesperson told Reuters.
According to The Washington Blade, LGBTQ activists criticized the decision.
“The so-called ‘mitigation measures’ are a façade,” said Richard Lusimbo of the Uganda Key Population Consortium. “They rely on perpetrators of discrimination — the government of Uganda — to implement the measures fairly. How can they be taken seriously?”
Sponsors Exit Pride Toronto Amid DEI Backlash
Photo via pridetoronto.com.
Pride Toronto, one of North America's largest LGBTQ celebrations, has suffered another major setback as Google and Home Depot abruptly pulled sponsorship just weeks before the festival.
Executive Director Kojo Modeste attributes the exodus to a broader backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, driven by President Donald Trump’s campaign to dismantle such initiatives.
“These are American companies, and they are showing their true colours,” said Modeste. “We thought they were with the community, but clearly, they’re not.”
According to The Guardian, the two companies reportedly ended support via one-line emails. Earlier this year, Pride Toronto also lost sponsorship from Nissan, Adidas, and Clorox. Organizers warn the cuts threaten the future of the free event, which annually draws three million attendees and funds hundreds of local artists.
Sui Sui, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the exits reflect a growing trend.
“Commitments made in the past were tenuous … motivated by perceived profitability,” she explained, noting similar sponsor withdrawals from Pride events in New York and Philadelphia.
Modeste remains concerned about long-term viability. “I don’t want to be the one to take Pride away from the community.”
Grassroots efforts may now be crucial to sustaining Pride.
