Following a series of controversies and misunderstandings, another major partner has chosen to withdraw from cooperating with Copenhagen Pride. This time, it is the financial giant Nykredit that has decided to cut ties with the popular LGBTQ+ event. Nykredit’s decision comes after a period of intense debate surrounding Copenhagen Pride’s political stance and communication strategies. “Unfortunately, the recent months’ debate in and around Copenhagen Pride has created doubt for us about where Copenhagen Pride’s focus lies, and what attitudes we as a company are supporting,” stated Trine Ahrenkiel, HR and Communications Director at Nykredit.
This development closely follows the news that other prominent companies such as DI, Novo Nordisk, and Maersk have also terminated their partnerships with the pride event. These withdrawals were partly motivated by an episode where Copenhagen Pride allegedly encouraged its partners to position themselves regarding the conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Palestine. Copenhagen Pride’s chairman, Lars Henriksen, has previously apologized for the organization’s handling of the situation and stressed that there were no demands on the partners’ political views. “It would be absurd because we have not taken sides in the conflict ourselves, but it has appeared that way,” explained Henriksen.
Despite the recent challenges and withdrawals from some partners, not all companies have chosen to end their cooperation with Copenhagen Pride. The supermarket chain Netto recently confirmed to Børsen that they continue to support the pride event and have no plans to withdraw. The situation surrounding Copenhagen Pride illustrates the complex dynamics that can arise when large organizations and companies navigate societal and political issues. It is clear that communication and clarity in messages are crucial to maintaining strong and healthy partnerships.