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Phoenix Pride files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial challenges
12News Arizona ^ | May 30, 202 | Chase Golightly

Posted on 05/30/2026 6:05:32 PM PDT by fidelis

Federal documents claim Phoenix Pride owes more than $400,000 and are now getting sued.

PHOENIX — Phoenix Pride has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing rising operational costs and declining sponsorship and fundraising support.

The nonprofit, which has operated for 40 years and hosts Arizona’s two largest LGBTQ+ events, Pride Fest and Rainbow Fest, announced the filing Friday.

In a statement, Phoenix Pride said rising operational costs, a lack of sponsorships and fundraising challenges tied to the current political climate have placed significant financial strain on the organization.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows organizations to continue operating while restructuring their finances under court supervision.

Phoenix Pride also hosts pageants, art shows and provides resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Michael McFall, president and CEO of Pride Guide USA, an LGBTQ+ resource guide that promotes organizations across the country, said he was not surprised by the bankruptcy filing.

“A lot of the big corporations are all pulling out of LGBTQ organizations, and so we're seeing that all over, and it didn't surprise me,” McFall said.

McFall said he believes the trend began when the Trump administration started pushing back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

He added that other Pride organizations have faced similar financial challenges. Earlier this year, Tucson Pride announced it was shutting down.

“They're so expensive to put on, and you know, and safety is a big, big concern, so they have to have the money for security, police, stuff like that,” McFall said.

According to bankruptcy filings, Phoenix Pride owes nearly half a million dollars to creditors.

Among those creditors is Pride Group LLC, a company that helps operate events for Phoenix Pride. The company filed a lawsuit against Phoenix Pride claiming it is owed nearly $420,000. The civil litigation was filed a few months ago.

Phoenix Pride declined to comment on the lawsuit. However, federal court documents indicate the organization is disputing the claim.

In its statement, organizers said Phoenix Pride is not closed and events that have already been planned will continue as scheduled.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: arizona; bankruptcy; budget; lgbtq; ohnoanyway; pride
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Related to a more general article in this topic posted earlier today:

Pride celebrations struggle as corporate sponsorships dry up

1 posted on 05/30/2026 6:05:32 PM PDT by fidelis
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To: fidelis

Pride cometh before the fall.


2 posted on 05/30/2026 6:06:43 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: fidelis
Reclaiming June as the traditional month to celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!


3 posted on 05/30/2026 6:08:46 PM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
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To: fidelis

Can you say USAID?

When the Public $$$ spigot is turned off, only private $$$ remain.

People voluntarily giving $$$.

Or not.


4 posted on 05/30/2026 6:12:49 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
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To: fidelis

Trump 47 was absolutely over-the-target when he went after USAID.

A lot of that money was going towards “Gay Pride” crap, of that I have no doubt.


5 posted on 05/30/2026 6:17:33 PM PDT by rlmorel (Factio Communistica Sinensis Delenda Est)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III
Can you say USAID?

First thing I thought of.

6 posted on 05/30/2026 6:18:14 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: fidelis

USAID lack of money strikes again!


7 posted on 05/30/2026 6:18:54 PM PDT by vpintheak (The left is violence.)
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To: fidelis

I thought going gay was free.


8 posted on 05/30/2026 6:22:47 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob ( My pronoun is EXIT. Generally full of /S -- Living with Havana Syndrome -infected from Main Stream)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III
Can you say USAID? When the Public $$$ spigot is turned off, only private $$$ remain.

And big corporations too. When they stopped getting DEI incentives from Biden's government, they turned off the spigot too. Seems they don't care enough about PRIDE to spend their own money--just ours. Virtue signaling is easy if you're not paying for it.

9 posted on 05/30/2026 6:28:06 PM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
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To: fidelis

In a statement, Phoenix Pride said rising operational costs, a lack of sponsorships and fundraising challenges tied to the current political climate have placed significant financial strain on the organization.


wars are won on many fronts.

Be faithful in little things. One repetition of the truth, changes the social climate.


10 posted on 05/30/2026 6:33:34 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued, but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere)
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To: fidelis

...when you run out of OPM - Other People’s Money.


11 posted on 05/30/2026 6:35:36 PM PDT by simpson96
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To: fidelis

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows organizations to continue operating while restructuring their finances under court supervision.


Note that. They did not go away.

But the rules have changed.


12 posted on 05/30/2026 6:36:28 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued, but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere)
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To: fidelis
There was a time when reprobates and sexual deviants hid in the shadows.
Pride in one's sins is an express ticket to hell.

13 posted on 05/30/2026 6:38:31 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: Steely Tom
First thing I thought of.

Yup, me too.

14 posted on 05/30/2026 6:42:08 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: fidelis

Come on liberals, refinance your cars and houses and donate to help this fine organization!


15 posted on 05/30/2026 6:45:26 PM PDT by Mark (I enjoy checking DONORS' lists)
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To: simpson96

OPM is addictive.


16 posted on 05/30/2026 6:45:43 PM PDT by lightman (Beat the Philly fraud machine the Amish did onest, ja? Nein, zweimal they did already!)
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woke is broke


17 posted on 05/30/2026 6:49:58 PM PDT by proust (All posts made under this handle are, for the intents and purposes of the author, considered satire.)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

“Can you say USAID?

When the Public $$$ spigot is turned off, only private $$$ remain”

I think a lot of USAID money was being funneled to the Democrat Fraud Machine.


18 posted on 05/30/2026 6:52:51 PM PDT by Fai Mao ( )
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To: fidelis

Huh, no after increased scrutiny and USAID getting shut down, these groups are going broke. I’m SURE it’s just a coincidence though, right?

/s


19 posted on 05/30/2026 6:57:18 PM PDT by FrankRizzo890
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To: All

Oh no are they going to cancel pride month now? Advertisers won’t be switching from interracial couples to gay couples for their laundry detergent commercials?


20 posted on 05/30/2026 6:58:21 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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