World of Wonder boosts Pride in small towns as major brands pull back
LGBTQ+ visibility gets grassroots support amid corporate retreat
While many major corporations are quietly withdrawing their support from Pride events in 2025, one media company is doing the opposite. World of Wonder, the Emmy-winning production house behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, is investing in Pride celebrations across smaller towns and cities in the U.S., bringing visibility, resources, and support to communities that are often overlooked.
Prioritizing community over spotlight
World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato say the move is a response to growing political tension and a noticeable decline in corporate sponsorship during Pride Month. Instead of focusing on major cities, the company has stepped in to support events in places like Augusta, Georgia; Buffalo Grove, Illinois; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The goal, according to Bailey, is simple: to show up where support is needed most. These are towns where LGBTQ+ individuals may feel especially isolated and where a Pride event can send a powerful message of inclusion, belonging, and resistance.
A message that small Prides matter
World of Wonder’s involvement in these smaller events isn’t just financial. At the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, for example, they helped bring drag performer Kahmora Hall to the community, and their presence led to personal connections with local advocates and families. These experiences reinforce the value of intimate, community-based celebrations where participants often know each other by name.
Barbato says that Pride is not only about celebration—it’s about resilience. In a time when being yourself has become a political act, he believes it’s more important than ever to keep showing up, especially in places where queer visibility is still contested.
Building a different kind of Pride legacy
World of Wonder has long used its platform to uplift LGBTQ+ voices through television, film, live events, and philanthropy. From documentaries to DragCon and a Las Vegas residency, their work is rooted in cultural impact and community connection. Their new focus on rural Pride events is simply an extension of that mission.
In their words, a Pride parade isn’t defined by size. Whether there are ten people or ten thousand, the act of moving forward together is what counts.
Image Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/brands-retreat-pride-company-stepped-090736589.html
Category: Local News
Subcategory: Culture & Travel
Date: 07/08/2025
