DFDS has announced that they will no longer function as a sponsor for Copenhagen Pride, a decision that follows similar moves from other major Danish companies such as Maersk and Novo Nordisk. This withdrawal was announced by DFDS’ CEO, Torben Carlsen, who expressed concerns about Pride’s involvement in political issues, specifically the conflict in Gaza. Last year, DFDS provided all trucks for the Pride parade, and these vehicles were electric as part of the company’s eco-friendly initiatives. However, this year, DFDS has decided to fully withdraw as the main sponsor.
“We want to ensure that our support goes to purposes where we fully understand the context and can stand by the message,” explained Carlsen. The decision comes after a period of turbulence surrounding Pride, which began earlier this year when the organization issued a press release urging their partners to take a stance on the Gaza conflict. This communication was later acknowledged as erroneous by Pride, who apologized for the misunderstandings and promised to work on rebuilding trust.
Several sponsors have since followed suit and withdrawn their support, including Nykredit and the Confederation of Danish Industry, raising questions about the future of the collaboration between the business sector and Pride. DFDS has stated that they will seek other ways to support diversity and inclusion without their contributions being misunderstood or politically exploited.