I was approached by Cincinnati Pride to lead a meditation at their 2026 festival. However, I had recently learned of a group that had been passing out Pro-Palestinian literature who were removed from the festival by organizers of Cincinnati Pride, despite being there in collaboration with another group who had secured a permit for the event. I had also seen claims being made that Cincinnati Pride sponsors had direct ties to War Technology being developed in Israel and direct ties to ICE. I decided to reach back out to Cincinnati Pride for clarification and let them know that I would be willing to collaborate with them as long as they could guarantee that their sponsors did not have ties to genocide or ICE, however, they ceased communication and never responded.

This is when I decided to do my own research on the situation. The more I uncovered, the more disillusioned I became.  Cincinnati Pride was not only associated with sponsors whose values seem antithetical to the inclusivity and acceptance they claim to represent, but also exhibited a history of silencing the voices of local queer community members advocating for Palestinian rights. Their sponsors include:

Thermo Fischer Scientific who sells a product called "RapidHIT ID System" which "generates forensic DNA profiles in virtually any setting in as little as 90 minutes" according to their website. This technology is currently being used by ICE at the U.S. Mexico Border on migrant families as well as throughout the country, with a disproportionate application to trans and queer individuals, it is also being applied to Palestinians.

Proctor and Gamble who established the "P&G Israel House of Innovation" in 2007, where the "transformation of military technology for civilian application" occurs, P&G profits from the same war technology being used to surveil and target Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. They were also exposed in 2021 for helping develop technology to give companies a way around iPhone privacy tools to surveil citizens.

Delta Airlines who faced backlash in the summer of 2024 when a passenger posted a photo of two delta flight attendants wearing Palestinian flag pins, which the passenger referred to as "Hamas" badges. The Delta Airlines official account responded by saying "I hear you, I would be terrified as well." The post was subsequently deleted and an apology was issued, but that didn't stop the airline from instating a new uniform policy banning the display of ANY flags but that of the United States. Delta clearly values the comfort of Zionists over the safety of Palestinians. Delta also has facilitated thousands of deportation flights for ICE.

This is just a few of the harmful sponsors Cincinnati Pride doesn't want you to know about. This SHOULD alarm you! ICE has a documented record of enforcing inhumane immigration policies, tearing families apart and creating an atmosphere of fear among immigrant communities in the United States. Similarly, the blatant genocide happening in Palestine is a humanity issue, anyone complacent in the murder of innocent children is not an ally to the queer community. In addition, with consistent threats on trans Americans by our current administration, including threats to track and surveil us, a Pride Festival working with the organizations developing the very technology needed to make good on these threats feels like a stab in the back.

Cincinnati Pride's mission is to foster a community of inclusion, acceptance and individuality, yet by aligning with these sponsors, they seem to contradict their own core values. Many in our vibrant and diverse community here in Cincinnati feel betrayed, and it is imperative that Cincinnati Pride reassesses their partnerships to genuinely reflect the inclusive spirit they claim to uphold.

We call upon Cincinnati Pride to transparently reevaluate their sponsorships, to ensure they are not indirectly supporting institutions or policies that contribute to systemic oppression and genocide. Dropping sponsors with questionable affiliations is a necessary step toward rebuilding trust within the community and aligning with our collective values of equality and justice.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for a truly inclusive and just community, one that supports all its members and honors their voices in the pursuit of true acceptance and diversity. Let's come together to demand change and hold Cincinnati Pride accountable for their choices. Sign the petition now to make your voice heard!