Target says Philly Pride 365 rejected its sponsorship

Context: Despite boasting more than three dozen sponsors, big corporate backers were missing from Philly's big Pride weekend this year.

• Those included Wawa, Target, AARP and Burlington, all of which backed the festival last year.

Driving the news: Target told Axios in a statement that the company offered to be an official sponsor of Philly Pride 365, but was "informed that they were not entering agreements with corporate entities this year."

• Philly Pride 365 declined to comment on the matter. Wawa, AARP and Burlington did not respond to Axios' requests for comment.
• The Urban Affairs Coalition, which recently took over managing Philly Pride 365 and is the event's new fiscal sponsor, didn't immediately return requests for comment.

Context: In the past, the budget for Philly's Pride weekend has been paid for through sponsors, vendors, grants and donations, per the Inquirer.

Between the lines: Target has faced backlash over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as removing Pride merchandise from its shelves in recent years.

• Minneapolis' Twin Cities Pride rejected Target's sponsorship dollars this year, citing the company's DEI rollbacks.