Vancouver Pride Parade will go ahead despite losing half its corporate sponsorship
This year's parade will be smaller and simpler as a result, say organizers
Vancouver Pride Society's flagship parade is scheduled to go ahead this August, despite losing about half of its corporate sponsors.
Organizers say it's due to a wave of social conservatism rolling through North America, particularly coming from the United States, as well as tough economic times.
"We've seen a significant political push against LGBT issues and against [equity, diversity and inclusion]," said Morgane Oger, secretary for Vancouver Pride, told Stephen Quinn, host of CBC's The Early Edition.
"That stuff doesn't happen without consequence."
Oger said this year's Pride events will be a little bit smaller and simpler as a result of the lost sponsorship.
"The economy is a little harder for corporations right now," she added.
"Sponsoring events might be something that they jettison in order to keep the business going."
One example of a corporate change is Lululemon, which has previously sponsored events hosted by Vancouver Pride Society, but has chosen not to sponsor it this year.
"While we may not be directly sponsoring Vancouver Pride Society's celebrations, we are committed to creating meaningful experiences that uplift the community in Vancouver and beyond," the company said in an emailed statement.
The company said it is instead supporting LGBTQ2IA+ events around the continent, focusing on trans-centred community spaces, offering free wellness events to celebrate Pride month, and organizing events led by local LGBTQ2IA+ fitness and wellness professionals.
John Boychuk, co-chair of Vancouver Pride Society, said this year's parade route has changed direction and been shortened considerably.
The parade, he said, will now run from east to west and then end in Davie Village at Burrard Street.
Boychuk said organizers heard feedback that last year's route was "just far too long" for participants and attendees, who cited accessibility issues and concerns about heat exhaustion.
"We're trying to condense the parade itself, because people feel that two, three hours of standing along the sides hooting and hollering and supporting gets exhausting."
Shortening the route also reduces costs, and Oger noted the event's biggest expense is policing.
While Boychuk agreed the "claw back" in sponsorships has been a challenge, he said it won't dampen the spirits of this year's events.
"It's a standout march. It is a cry out for human rights around the world. It represents the equality and the balance that is in this community and in this city.… That's never going to stop."
The Vancouver Pride Parade will be held Sunday, Aug. 3, on the same day as the return of the Davie Village Pride Festival, coming back after a six-year hiatus from 2 to 10 p.m. along Davie Street from Burrard Street to Jervis Street.
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With files from Maurice Katz and The Early Edition