Corporate America is pulling back from Pride Month as Iowa LGBTQ+ organizations feel the financial squeeze from Trump’s anti-DEI push. Des Moines Capital City Pride lost nearly $70,000 when Nationwide and Mid-American Energy walked away, while Iowa City Pride saw $15,000 in support disappear. But record individual donations and packed attendance prove the queer community’s resilience runs deeper than corporate sponsorship dollars.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker discuss how Iowa’s Pride organizations are adapting to lost corporate funding while doubling down on grassroots community support.
Also in this episode, an overview of Iowa’s 2026 Senate race. Perry’s second chance. And a one-on-one with US Senate candidate Zach Wahls.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 – Corporate Pride Pullback – Iowa Organizations Lose $85,000+ in Sponsorships
00:47 – The Pendulum Swing – Corporate America’s Profit-Driven Pride Strategy
01:10 – “Gay is Cool” – How Pride Became a Marketing Opportunity
01:30 – Queer Resilience – Community Survives Beyond Corporate Support
02:06 – Individual Donations Surge – Capital City Pride Sees Record Grassroots Funding
02:51 – Attendance Up Despite Funding Down – Community Shows Up Regardless
03:00 – Pride’s Radical Roots – Remembering Stonewall Was a Riot
03:30 – Des Moines People’s Pride – Community-Organized Alternative at Waterworks Park
04:13 – June 14th Event Preview – Queer Elder Panel and Local Artists
04:49 – Finding Real Allies – When Fair Weather Friends Reveal True Support
05:23 – Iowa Pride Events Statewide – Supporting Community Over Corporations
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