by Leo Cusimano
(Leo Cusimano is the publisher of Dallas Voice. The following Publisher’s Desk column appears in the newspaper’s June 13, 2025, issue and is reprinted here with permission.)

For more than 40 years, Dallas Voice has stood on the front lines recording our community’s struggles and hard-won victories. We’ve celebrated progress, challenged injustice, advocated for our community and partnered with companies who understood that supporting the LGBTQ community is not just good business, it’s the right thing to do.

But let’s be clear: We are at a dangerous crossroads. Currently, the LGBTQ community is being attacked on all sides, including our own government at the local, state and national levels. Rights and protections that have taken us decades to win are now in danger, and the landscape shifts every single day. That makes it more crucial than ever for our community to have a trusted source of information that keeps us alert, informed and mobilized. That’s why local LGBTQ media outlets like Dallas Voice are so vital.

A powerful new survey from the National LGBT Media Association (NGMA) confirms what we’ve known for months: Our community is watching, and we will not sit quietly while corporations turn their backs on us. Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBTQ consumers say they’ve noticed companies pulling back on LGBTQ marketing, sponsorships and DEI initiatives over the past year. We see who’s still standing with us and who’s caving under political pressure. 

And we are taking action.

Seventy-five percent of survey respondents say they will stop or reduce buying from companies that scale back their LGBTQ support. An overwhelming 85 percent said they will actively support competitors that remain committed to equality and visibility.

That’s huge.

Let me be blunt: Silence is no longer neutral. Retreat is not safe.

The brands stepping back from LGBTQ inclusion are not escaping controversy, they are creating it. And those

of us in the LGBTQ community, along with our allies, are responding with our dollars, our voices and our votes.

Some corporate leaders seem to think this is just a temporary storm. But while they’re hiding, smarter businesses are stepping up. They’re filling the gap, investing in long-term relationships with a community that commands $1.4 trillion in U.S. purchasing power. Globally, our spending power reaches $3.7 trillion.

That’s huge.

And let’s not forget that almost 30 percent of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ. These are tomorrow’s consumers, and they’re watching where brands stand right now. The decisions made today will echo for years to come.

Take Target as an example. After scaling back its DEI programs, the company has seen its stock plunge nearly 34 percent. Meanwhile, consumer trust and brand loyalty are evaporating. The market is speaking, and it is demanding accountability.

Here at Dallas Voice, we are seeing this shift play out in real time. Some national brands have disappeared from our pages and platforms, too timid to support Pride or LGBTQ initiatives in today’s climate. But guess what? Local businesses are

rushing in to fill the void, and they’re being rewarded with deep, lasting community loyalty.

We will not forget the companies that left us behind. We will not forget those who stood by us through the storm.

Dallas Voice remains committed to being the trusted news source our community needs, especially now when misinformation, fear and hate are on the rise. We are here to shine a light, speak the truth and hold power accountable.

But we can’t do it alone.

To the brands who still believe in equality: We see you. We welcome you, and we invite you to stand proudly with us. Your courage today will define your relevance tomorrow.

For more information on the survey and NGMA, go to NationalLGBTMediaAssociation.com.

GUEST COMMENTARY
Volume 27
Issue 7