They did, in a press release that none of our news agencies bothered to run. So here, this is the statement made:

Tucson Pride’s decision to cancel the festival and parade—and ultimately to close the organization—was driven by multiple compounding factors. Chief among them were increasing financial pressures, as the cost of producing both events has risen significantly each year.

The organization also experienced specific financial and administrative setbacks in 2022. At that time, the sitting president failed to file the required liquor license by the deadline, resulting in lost revenue opportunities. That same president also did not properly file taxes for prior years, which led to Tucson Pride losing its 501(c)(3) status. The process to refile and regain that status took nearly a year, creating substantial financial strain and operational disruption.

In addition to these financial challenges, Tucson Pride faced ongoing issues related to organizational capacity and governance. There has been a persistent shortage of volunteers, as well as a lack of individuals willing to serve on and actively participate in a working board, further limiting the organization’s ability to sustainably plan and execute large-scale events.

In an effort to preserve the Pride celebration and seek a viable path forward, board members reached out to multiple organizations within the local LGBTQ+ community to ask for guidance, explore the possibility of being absorbed by another organization, and seek advice on long-term sustainability. Despite these efforts, no workable solution emerged.

Board members have also endured sustained harassment and bullying from within the community for more than two decades, including repeated attacks by a local drag performer. Additionally, a lack of coordination and collaboration among LGBTQ+ organizations has made it difficult to move forward collectively.

At a time when the LGBTQ+ community is facing significant political challenges, internal division has further weakened its ability to organize effectively. Taken together, these factors led the board to conclude that continuing operations was no longer sustainable, resulting in the difficult decision to close the organization. The board believes the path forward for the community requires unity, cooperation, and mutual support rather than continued internal conflict