How ‘Can’t Cancel Pride’ Is Bringing CenterLink to LGBTQ+ People Across the World

Pride is the center of the LGBTQ+ Community. People of all backgrounds gather in cities and towns around the world linking together celebration, protest and fellowship. That’s the beauty of Pride. In 2023, the 4th Annual “Can’t Cancel Pride - The Future Starts Now” reinforces the importance of fostering hope in the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2020 when in person gatherings were limited by the COVID-19 Pandemic, Procter and Gamble (P&G) and iHeartMedia joined forces to create “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a fundraising concert benefiting organizations contributing to the continuous wellbeing and safety of our community. One of those organizations is CenterLink, which continues to foster community through meaningful connection and sustained support of individuals across the LGBTQ+ spectrum in communities of all sizes.

CenterLink is a member-based coalition that supports the development of strong, sustainable, LGBTQ+ community centers. Their network of 300+ community centers are across the country in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, as well as Canada, China, and Australia. CenterLink is committed to connecting LGBTQ+ people with the safe and accepting spaces they need to flourish.

CenterLink provides critical resources to their network of community LGBTQ+ centers to maximize reach and address the social, cultural, health and political advocacy needs specific to each local community.

LGBTQ+ Centers serve a vital role in local communities. They are often the only staffed non-profit LGBTQ+ presence in an area, and in many cases, are the first point of contact for individuals seeking information about coming out, accessing healthcare services or organizing for social change. 60% of LGBTQ+ centers provide direct health services (i.e., counseling, peer-led programs, support groups, healthcare); however, centers remain thinly staffed with 16% operating with no paid staff and over 36% employing five or fewer employees.

Supporting CenterLink means supporting the LGBTQ+ community at the grassroots level, ensuring every individual can access the resources they need in a safe space.

In part due to its involvement in “Can’t Cancel Pride,” CenterLink has nearly doubled its support to centers across urban and rural areas, raising the organization’s profile and making more people aware of the amazing and vital work of LGBTQ+ community centers.

“This year’s Can't Cancel Pride program is yet another example of the fantastic quality and caliber of performances and content that P&G and iHeart put into this event every year,” said Denise Spivak, CenterLink CEO. "Can't Cancel Pride has been a valued partner of CenterLink and LGBTQ+ centers across the country for four years now, and we look forward to continuing that strong relationship moving forward."

“Can’t Cancel Pride: The Future Starts Now,” premiered June 15th. Hosted by JoJo Siwa, it brought together performances and appearances from the most influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community to showcase past achievements, the urgency of the present moment and the hope for our future.