By Quinn Smalley
A fairground full of excited Tucson Pride festival goers in 2023. Photo taken from Gay Tucson’s website.
Since 1977, Tucson has hosted its own annual Pride event, but in the wake of recent scandals, dwindling attendance and the challenging logistics of organizing such an event, Tucson Pride is officially cancelled.
Originally, Tucson Pride was scheduled for Nov. 22, 2025, but was unceremoniously pushed back to Feb. 21, 2026, citing scheduling conflicts with Tour De Tucson, high outdoor temperatures and difficulty securing parade permits as the reason for the delay.
Fast forward to Jan. 21, 2026, the Tucson Pride website changed, instead of information about their upcoming events, there’s notice of closure:
“After thoughtful discussion and careful consideration, the Tucson Pride Board of Directors regrets to announce the cancellation of the Tucson Pride Festival scheduled for February 21, 2026.
Additionally, the newly appointed Board has made the difficult decision to close Tucson Pride as an organization.
This decision was not made lightly. We recognize the deep importance Tucson Pride has held in our community since 1977, serving as a space of visibility, advocacy, celebration, and resilience for nearly five decades. We are profoundly grateful to every volunteer, sponsor, artist, activist, and community member who has supported Tucson Pride throughout its history.”
One of Tucson Pride’s more recent logos before shuttering in 2026.
“All funds received for the 2026 festival—including vendor fees, sponsorships, and other prepaid contributions—will be refunded within 30 to 90 days. We appreciate your patience as we ensure this process is handled responsibly and accurately.
We want to thank the Tucson LGBTQ+ community and its allies for your unwavering support, passion, and commitment over the years. Tucson Pride exists because of you, and its legacy will forever remain part of our city’s history.
With gratitude and respect,
The Tucson Pride Board of Directors.”
Obviously being unable to secure permits back in November wasn’t the sole reason for Tucson Pride’s downfall, and in actuality it seemed to be inevitable from reports of poor management and consistent financial drama.
Tucson Pride’s financial issues didn’t begin in 2021, however. Most notably: an embezzlement scandal. In 2017 the board of directors learned of the President of the Board’s, Jimmy West, unauthorized spending.
The Tucson Pride Audience audience enjoying a performance from Reveille Men’s Chorus, at one of the last Tucson Pride events in 2024. Photo by Kayla Bright.
A new treasurer was appointed and performed an audit in close collaboration with the IRS which “revealed that West had misappropriated $21,810.25 throughout his tenure,” according to a post on the official Tucson Pride Facebook page.
Charges were pursued and West entered a plea deal that would reduce his charges from embezzlement to one count of theft, a reduced sentence and restitution.
In 2018 they posted a $27,000 loss, but the following year they had their biggest year in revenue yet, however they still ended the year in the red. With most of the money going to operation costs and taxes, the festival did not seem to be able to catch a break.
Tucson Pride or legally known as “The Tucson Lesbian & Gay Alliance” was a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization until it lost its nonprofit status due to failing to file their taxes for three consecutive years starting in 2020. There are no signs of them recovering their tax exemption status prior to shuttering.
In 2024, due to poor sales, the organization was left with about $50,000 in debt, which was allegedly anticipated to be resolved “thanks to an incoming bequest” , reports KOLD. It is unconfirmed if this bequest was received.
A former member of Tucson Pride’s board for years before stepping down, Tempest D’jour, was seemingly not impressed with the way the organization was run, stating, “I am not surprised at all by this announcement.”
The departure of the festival has left Tucsonans without a single major pride event, though there are some promising up and coming annual events that might be able to help fill a void, in particular, the second annual Latino Pride. Hosted by the Latino Pride Alliance based in Phoenix, they have already organized four successful pride festivals in Phoenix and are attempting to replicate the same success in Tucson.
As with all Pride events, Tucson Pride always put inclusivity at the forefront of their messaging. Image taken from Tucson Pride’s Facebook page.
For one night only, on Mar. 7, the MSA Annex will be home to the The festival which hosted some impressive names at last year’s festival. Acts like DEV of The Cataracts fame, Christian Peralta from Drag Race Mexico and many local queer latino performers make promise to an exciting night of visibility, inclusion, cultural exchange, love and most importantly, pride.
Tucson Pride wasn’t just a celebration, but a moment of remembrance of the queer people that came before us. Photo from the Tucson Pride Facebook page.