{"id":31454,"date":"2025-08-06T10:36:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T14:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.urelles.com\/magazine\/non-classifiee\/pride-2025-is-quebec-bucking-the-downward-trend-seen-elsewhere\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T13:28:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:28:07","slug":"pride-2025-is-quebec-bucking-the-downward-trend-seen-elsewhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urelles.com\/en\/magazine\/urelles-en\/pride-2025-is-quebec-bucking-the-downward-trend-seen-elsewhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Pride 2025: Is Quebec bucking the downward trend seen elsewhere?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Pride\"<\/figure>\n\n

To read more on the subject of <\/strong>sexual and gender diversity:<\/strong>We read it for you: some findings from the report on gender identity that are relevant to the workplace<\/a><\/a>Can we say \u00ab moumoune \u00bb ?<\/a><\/a>Using the pronoun \u201cshe\u201d and female identity<\/a><\/p>\n\n

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While rainbows bloom every summer in store windows and fashion shows, Pride 2025 arrives in a global context marked by a visible decline in corporate commitments to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. In the United States, several companies have reduced or even abandoned their actions regarding sexual and gender diversity. What about Quebec? Are we immune to this shift? <\/p>\n\n

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Global decline: major brands in the firing line<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

This year, many companies in the United States have stopped publicly displaying their support for Pride. Some have canceled their planned campaigns, while others have removed Pride-related products from their stores or websites. For example, Mastercard, which launched the \u201cTrue Name\u201d initiative in 2022, quietly withdrew<\/a> from its role as the main sponsor of New York Pride. <\/p>\n\n

Heritage of Pride, the organizer of New York Pride events, reported a budget deficit of $750,000 after a quarter of corporate sponsors<\/a> withdrew their funding.<\/p>\n\n

According to a survey of more than 200 American business leaders, 39%<\/a> planned to reduce their public commitments to Pride this year. This includes being a Pride sponsor, but also sharing messages of support for the rights of sexual and gender diversity on social media, selling Pride-themed merchandise, etc. However, only 14%<\/a> of companies said they planned to reduce internal engagement during Pride. <\/p>\n\n

An event like Pride is not just a festive or symbolic celebration: it is a concrete opportunity for organizations to put their DEI commitments into practice. By participating in Pride, whether through partnerships, internal initiatives, or public presence, companies affirm that 2SLGBTQIA+ people have a full and equal place in society and in the workplace. It is a time to recognize the inequalities that still exist, to value marginalized experiences and voices, and to create visibility for realities that are often invisible in professional settings. Pride is thus a lever for strengthening the sense of belonging, making the values of inclusion tangible, and reminding us that these values are not optional, but fundamental. <\/p>\n\n

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What about Quebec?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

In this tense international climate, Simon Gamache, Executive Director of Fiert\u00e9 Montr\u00e9al, reports relative stability in corporate participation in the 2025 edition:<\/p>\n\n

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“For the 2025 edition of the Montreal Pride Festival, we are seeing overall stability in the financial participation of our partners. As is the case every year, some have reduced their investment, while others have increased it. Despite the departure of a few for various reasons, others are joining for the first time. We remain vigilant about potential setbacks and are grateful for the continued support of our financial partners.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

A cautious but reassuring message. Quebec seems, for the moment, to have been spared the decline observed elsewhere. However, this stability should not mask a certain reluctance that is noticeable in other areas of society. <\/p>\n\n

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URelles and the \u00c9mergence Foundation: shared observations<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

URelles spoke with Olivia Baker, a trainer at Fondation \u00c9mergence<\/a>, whose observations regarding the LGBTQ+ community align with those we have also observed at URelles in terms of DEI. <\/p>\n\n

Olivia emphasizes that tensions did not arise suddenly with the re-election of US President Donald Trump; she sees them as part of a broader dynamic that also affects Quebec.<\/p>\n\n

Between 2022 and 2025, the number of training requests from companies increased at Fondation \u00c9mergence and URelles, which can be seen as a positive sign of interest in inclusion. But other changes also became apparent: participants’ reactions changed. \u201cIn the early 2020s, people acknowledged their lack of knowledge about sexual diversity and gender plurality, but in 2025 the context is different,\u201d says Olivia. During the training sessions facilitated at URelles, we also notice that participants now arrive with the impression that they already know about DEI issues, when in fact their understanding is often partial, or even influenced by misinformation. We therefore find ourselves in a process of deconstruction first, followed by information. <\/p>\n\n

In many circles, companies want to maintain their DEI commitments but are cautious about internal reactions. Some circles decide to adapt content or avoid words perceived as \u201ctoo sensitive\u201d for fear of provoking rejection from their employees or external partners. Some employees question the relevance of talking about inclusion in the workplace, even though the issues are well documented.<\/p>\n\n

Beyond the number of training courses and the apparent commitment of organizations, which remain relatively stable, these signals that we are seeing in our respective fields of intervention show us how complex the social context has become. This highlights the importance of continuing awareness-raising efforts, but adapting approaches to respond to new forms of resistance. <\/p>\n\n

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A worrying decline among young Quebecers<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The report<\/a> published in 2025 by GRIS-Montr\u00e9al also makes a troubling observation: the level of discomfort with sexual diversity is increasing among high school students. Some key data: <\/p>\n\n