As June Pride Month begins today, LGBTQ+ communities across the globe prepare for another Pride Month—but in 2025, the mood is shifting. The long-standing debate is louder than ever: Is Pride still a protest, or has it become just another party? Each year, Pride parades fill the streets with celebration, music, and rainbow merch.
For many, it’s the highlight of the queer calendar. But beneath the glitter, a deeper conversation is stirring. That tension between celebration and activism has become more urgent this year. Across the US and beyond, queer rights are under threat. Political rollbacks, growing transphobia, and hate crimes have forced many to rethink how they show up for Pride. While major Pride events are still able to attract sponsorships and celebrities, many queer people are calling on organizers to shift focus.
Community activists suggest that the demand should be less corporate branding and more support for grassroots activism. Others suggest the aim should not be to cancel the celebration, but to center justice. Pride began as a protest. In 2025, what will be the headline for this June Pride month?
