The Tampa Pride organization will not be hosting the popular annual Pride Festival or other related events in 2026, as stated in a letter from the board dated Aug. 1. The letter indicates that the organization’s president, Carrie West’s contract will not be restored after its expiration date on Aug. 31.
The recent political and economic climate, marked by issues with corporate partnerships, cutbacks in county, state, and grant funding, and the suspension of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, has all made it gradually harder for the organization to continue ongoing operations for 2026.
The organization decided that due to these hitches, the difficult decision was made to add a one-year halt to the annual Tampa Pride Festival, Diversity Parade, and all the related Tampa Pride events.
The letter states, “We recognize the festival and parade’s significant financial contribution to local businesses and its vital role to our LGBTQIA+ community. However, this pause is necessary for the organization to regroup, reassess our long-term strategy, and identify additional avenues of funding to secure the future stability of Tampa Pride events.” These steps taken by the administration should reassure the community and foster optimism about the future of Tampa Pride.
Earlier in September, St. Petersburg expelled and aimed to replace the words “diversity” and “equity” from office names. Last week in Tampa, an attorney advised that the city should discontinue its support for the work of its Racial Reconciliation Committee.
PPCHS junior Andi Dulaney comments, “The cancellation affects LGBTQ+ visibility and support in our community because it gives LGBTQ+ people, especially youth, a lack of a sense of community. The cancellation creates more stigma and negativity around the LGBTQ+ community and can lead to more prevalent discrimination.”
On Sunday, in an interview with WFLA-TV, President Carrie West said, “There is no guarantee that Tampa Pride events will resume in 2027.” The main issue that the administration is struggling with is funding. St. Pete Pride attracted over 350,000 people this year; however, the organization can only be conducted on a $700,000 budget. The money gathered this time serves a purpose in setting up the festival as a whole.
Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, the president of the Board of Directors for St. Pete Pride, feels that gathering money and relying on donations is more complicated than it seems. He expresses concern about the complications of raising funds, specifically in a political setting where there’s slander of the queer community. He is unsure if people would retaliate against him if he chooses to support or engage.
This fear of retaliation, fueled by the political climate, has made it increasingly inconvenient for the organization to fund the necessary amounts.
PPCHS junior Reagan Koch also mentions, “I’m frustrated by it being canceled, but I understand why it had to be. With the political state of the country right now, I don’t think it’s safe for any minority or any group, for that matter, to be announcing anything about themselves that may be seen as controversial.”
After receiving a call from the mayor on Friday, when the news broke, the group began connecting with commercial sellers to negotiate improved prices and promotions.
While the cancellation of the Tampa Pride Parade may be a setback for the LGBTQ+ community, organizers have made it clear that this year-long pause will pave the way for a stronger future for the event. This decision to cancel the event reflects community and political issues. Though the festival will not take place this year, the message to support and encourage the community remains.
