Queer San Francisco is facing a potential existential crisis as Pride, the city’s most iconic celebration, teeters on financial collapse. The rainbow-clad extravaganza might not survive another year without urgent community intervention.

The perfect storm of Trump-era political harassment, corporate sponsor dropouts, and municipal budget cuts has left SF Pride scrambling. Executive Director Suzanne Ford isn’t mincing words: without an unprecedented surge of individual donations, the beloved celebration might become a distant memory.

Corporate Exodus and Community Resistance

Long-time sponsors like Comcast and Anheuser-Busch have pulled out, leaving a gaping $180,000 hole in the organization’s budget. The multi-day event, which costs a whopping $3.2 million to produce, relies heavily on corporate funding to keep admission free for approximately one million attendees.

The Economic Impact

Despite San Francisco facing its own $782 million budget deficit, Ford argues that Pride isn’t just a party, it’s an economic powerhouse. The last economic study in 2015 showed the event generated $357 million, and Ford estimates that number has now ballooned to over $1 billion.

Queer Joy as Resistance

This year’s theme, “Queer joy is resistance,” encapsulates the community’s resilient spirit. Ford is calling on every San Franciscan to show up, dance, and celebrate, not just for fun, but as a political statement. “The whole world will be watching on Pride Sunday to see what happens in San Francisco and if we’re going to stand up and fight for our values,” she says.

The stakes are high, but the queer community’s determination is higher. Drag queens at the gates, a beefed-up fundraising effort, and an unwavering commitment to visibility might just save San Francisco’s most fabulous tradition.