This year's Seattle Pride Parade theme, "Louder," represents a celebration of LGBTQIA+ activists who pushed for our civil rights and those who continue to demand change in the face of hateful attacks nationwide. Seattle Out & Proud Foundation, also known as Seattle Pride, is also reevaluating partnerships for the state's largest parade and single-day celebration, as DEI initiatives get slashed.

"This is not a time to be quiet," said Patti Hearn, executive director of Seattle Pride. "This is not a time to acquiesce to extracting a list of words from our vocabulary. It is not a time to be a bystander or to allow others to stand by while bullies — those who were elected and those who were not — try to harm us. Try to erase us. Try to silence us. We're not going to let that happen."

Rep. Emily Randall (D-6), Washington's first Queer Latina congresswoman and a strong advocate for Queer and women's rights; and Cheer Seattle, a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness through outreach and performances, are the two grand marshals of the 2025 parade. They were chosen as reflections of "the love, resilience, strength of the LGBTQIA2S+ community."

The lineup of announcers and DJs includes Lemon Boy, Versace Doll, Deejay Hershe, and DonnaTella Howe, among several others.

But Seattle Pride is also taking a step back this year to make sure that its partnerships reflect the values and needs of the community. This includes the implementation of a more rigorous review process for organizations looking to partner or become an event sponsor.

In the past, Seattle Pride has supported youth programs, artists, community driven efforts, and grassroots initiatives, all of which have ensured that LGBTQIA+-focused resources are available to attendees. The organization has said that this work will not be altered.

According to its website, it will delve into organizations' "political donations and lobbying activities, LGBTQIA2S+ policies, ties to the weapons industry, labor and supply chain ethics, involvement in immigration and carceral systems, and overall public impact," which Seattle Pride described as a "necessary step forward."

Allyship is more important now than ever, and with DEI attacks working to divide and weaken the LGBTQIA+ movement, Seattle Pride said allies that create "safer and more equitable spaces within their organizations and our communities all year long" are needed.

"We will stand up. We will speak up. We will get loud," Hearn added.