"Tucson Pride is shutting down after nearly serving southern Arizona, its board of directors announced . Its Facebook announcement did not specify a reason for the closure. But Tucson Pride recently faced significant financial challenges, according to Arizona-based LGBTQ+ newsroom . That included declining sponsorship and donations, debt from its 2024 Pride festival and a temporary loss of the group's nonprofit status in 2021."
"Tucson Pride's closure marks an end to the metro's oldest and largest Pride organization, even as residents statewide still navigate anti-LGBTQ sentiment in daily life and the statehouse. "This decision was not made lightly," the announcement said. "We recognize the deep importance Tucson Pride has held in our community." The organization also canceled a Pride festival slated for next month, which had been rescheduled from last November due to logistical and funding concerns."
"But members of Tucson's LGBTQ+ community told Arizona news station KOLD the closure was a loss to the city. Wolf Gaona, who won Mr. Tucson Pride in 2024, alleged it was the result of mismanagement. "I think it's very unfortunate that this is happening. However, I saw it coming," Gaona said. "They were telling me to my face, 'Hey, we're going to release this stuff. We're going to show you our financials.' They lied to my face.""
Tucson Pride is shutting down after nearly serving southern Arizona. The group's Facebook announcement did not specify a closure reason. The organization recently faced declining sponsorship and donations, debt from the 2024 Pride festival and a temporary loss of nonprofit status in 2021. The closure ends the metro area's oldest and largest Pride organization amid ongoing anti-LGBTQ sentiment statewide. The organization canceled a rescheduled Pride festival and pledged to return all festival funds, including vendor fees and sponsorships, within 90 days. Community members described the closure as a loss and some alleged mismanagement.
Read at Advocate.com
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