Sydney, Australia: Google and Meta will not be sponsoring the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, with event organizers stating that the companies no longer meet the festival’s partnership requirements.
The two tech giants, both former sponsors, have scaled back their financial and public support amid broader reductions in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly in the US.
At the 47th annual Mardi Gras parade on Oxford Street next Saturday, 22nd Feb, the absence of Google and Meta will be notable.
Meta had previously participated in the 2023 World Pride event in Sydney with a float and was a media partner for last year’s Mardi Gras. Google was also a supporting partner. However, both companies have opted out of sponsoring this year’s event in any capacity.
Neither company provided an official statement on their decision, but sources indicate that sponsorship costs were a factor for at least one of them, rather than solely being linked to the wider trend of companies stepping away from DEI commitments following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Mardi Gras organizers, however, have disputed reports about sponsorship fees. They revealed that last year’s event generated $3.5 million in sponsorship income—approximately $464,000 less than expected—due to a slowing economy and the cancellation of the Fair Day cultural event in Victoria Park over concerns about asbestos in mulch.
A spokesperson for Mardi Gras clarified that while Google and Meta withdrew voluntarily, they would not meet the festival’s ethical charter requirements even if they had sought to continue as sponsors.
The Mardi Gras website states that it partners with organizations that embed DEI into their business practices and culture. Meta has faced criticism for policy changes, including revising content guidelines to allow Facebook and Instagram users to label transgender or gay individuals as “mentally ill.” Reports indicate that Meta’s rollback of DEI priorities began internally after former COO Sheryl Sandberg’s departure in 2022.
Meanwhile, Google announced earlier this month that it was scaling back its diversity programs, including the removal of LGBTQ+ holidays from its online and mobile calendars.
Despite the absence of Google and Meta, other corporations remain actively involved in Mardi Gras. Canva is a partner for the event, TikTok is supporting LGBTQ+ creators, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will be broadcasting the parade live on its TikTok account.
Amazon, which recently reduced its DEI commitments in the U.S., has continued its participation in Mardi Gras events under the “Glamazon” banner and took part in this year’s Fair Day, as in previous years. Additionally, American Express and Coles are still listed as official partners.
Anna Brown, CEO of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Australia, emphasized that corporations should demonstrate year-round support for their LGBTQ+ employees and communities rather than limiting their engagement to events like Mardi Gras.
Meanwhile, Damien Nguyen, a Mardi Gras board member and Pride in Protest spokesperson, criticized corporate sponsorships as “pinkwashing” rather than genuine inclusion. Nguyen argued that corporate interests were overshadowing the event’s protest roots, which began in 1978 as a demonstration against police violence.
Corporate floats currently make up approximately 10% of the Mardi Gras parade. However, Google and Meta could potentially reestablish partnerships in the future if they align with the festival’s ethical charter requirements.
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