Palestinian Solidarity - Pride 2024

What is the BDS Movement? 

The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement is a Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against the state of Israel. In 2005, this call  [hyperlinked here] was publicized by 170+ Palestinian civil society organizations inviting global support for this movement until the State of Israel ends its occupation and colonization of Palestine, recognizes the fundamental rights of Palestinians to their homes and homelands, and Palestinian refugees are able to return to their homes and homeland without fear and with a promise of peace. Find more information about this at the Canadian BDS Coalition website [hyperlinked here].


How does this relate to Halifax Pride?

Halifax Pride has recently reaffirmed our commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian Liberation movement condemning the genocide of Palestinian people and on-going military occupation of their land. There is no 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation without liberation for all. 

There have been numerous calls for Pride organizations across the country to divest from funding/funders who are named on our national BDS list [hyperlinked here] and we hear this community call-to-action to disrupt pinkwashing. In the fall, Halifax Pride renewed agreements with multiple businesses to fund parts of this year's festival. This included an agreement with TD***, who are on the BDS list. While this agreement has already happened, we can commit to transparency around where this money was spent this fiscal year and how it impacted our overall budget, as well as committing to investing in examining creative funding options for next Pride through active community dialogue. 

Halifax Pride’s budget is currently $529,000 for the 2024 fiscal year (Sept-Aug). Overall sponsorship covers 32% of our expenses. TD’s sponsorship covers 9% of expected expenses.

Below is a breakdown of where these costs go as well as a look at our operating budget. For any questions or clarification - please contact: info@halifaxpride.com

Anti-Pinkwashing Commitment

This commitment supports a larger anti-pinkwashing responsibility for the Halifax Pride Society that we are approaching with intention and care for our greater communities. This anti-pinkwashing commitment will cover funding options, booking performers, and our parade selections process. These goals are a living document that will change continuously to reflect consultation and collaboration as we find the best ways to support the crucial need for a Pride Festival, while adhering to our anti-oppressive value systems and radical historical foundation. 

Halifax Pride strives to fulfill the following goals for future Pride events:

  • Engaging in open, accountable and creative ways with funding options that are not named on the Canadian BDS list 

  • Facilitating an open community conversation in Fall 2024 about exploring Pride funding structures and events. 

  • Updating our performer review process so that our performers align with our mandate and our statements pertaining to anti-racism, local and global Indigenous Sovereignty, and Palestinian Liberation.

  • Updating our review processes regarding funders, sponsors, and parade submissions.

***Previous versions of this statement referenced our (now ended) sponsorship agreement with Deloitte, and stated they are on the BDS list. This is inaccurate- Deloitte is not listed on the BDS list, and we regret sharing this misinformation with the community.