This Year’s Free State Pride Was Cancelled – Here’s Why

The highly anticipated 2025 edition of the annual Free State Pride has been cancelled, dealing a blow to LGBTIQ+ visibility in the province.

Free State Pride is an important platform for visibility, advocacy, and community celebration. The event, which typically attracts hundreds of participants in Bloemfontein, had been scheduled to take place on 22 March.

The Free State Pride Organisation confirmed the disappointing news in a statement just days before the event, expressing its regrets: “We will not be hosting the Free State Pride Celebration in 2025 due to financial constraints.”

Financial Challenges Force Cancellation

As a non-profit organisation, Free State Pride relies on external funding and sponsorships to organise and execute the annual event.

“Unfortunately, we have not secured the necessary financial resources to host the celebration this year,” the organisers said. Dozens of members of the LGBTIQ+ community shared their disappointment on social media.

Thabiso Chaka, Programmes Manager at Free State Rainbow Seeds and part of the organising team for Free State Pride, told MambaOnline that this would have been the 13th edition of the event.

“Cancelling Free State Pride was an incredibly difficult decision. Pride is more than just a march; it is a statement of resilience, a lifeline for many, and a space where the community can find strength and solidarity,” he said.

“Despite our efforts to secure funding, we ultimately had to make the heartbreaking choice to put the event on hold, as proceeding without adequate resources would have compromised its quality and safety,” Chaka added.

The Impact on the LGBTIQ+ Community

Chaka believes the cancellation has far-reaching effects on the LGBTIQ+ community.

“In a province where queer visibility remains limited, losing this space means losing an important moment of empowerment and solidarity,” said Chaka. “It also affects grassroots activists and organisations that use Pride to engage communities on issues such as HIV prevention, human rights, and social inclusion.”

He noted that the cancellation was not directly related to recent funding cuts by the US government that have devastated some community-based organisations.

“Our challenges this year were more localised. There was no political buy-in or financial support from both government and private sponsors, many of whom promised support but never delivered,” he said.

Call for Greater Support

Chaka called for greater backing for Pride events, particularly those outside major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“Government entities must recognise Pride as a critical human rights event and allocate resources accordingly. Corporate South Africa also needs to move beyond token support and invest meaningfully in queer-led initiatives,” he continued.

“Additionally, the LGBTIQ+ community and allies can contribute by advocating for corporate sponsorships, donating to Pride organisations, and mobilising local businesses to support these events.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Despite the setback, the organisers remain hopeful and committed to ensuring that Free State Pride returns stronger next year.

“We are actively working on new fundraising strategies, engaging potential sponsors, and building alliances to secure the necessary support. We invite partners and allies to join us in this effort to make Free State Pride 2026 a reality,” said Chaka.

“The cancellation of Free State Pride is a setback, but it is not the end. Our community has always thrived on resilience, and we will continue to fight for our right to be visible, safe, and celebrated,” he added.