Can’t Cancel Pride — the annual benefit from Procter & Gamble and iHeartRadio that’s raised millions for LGBTQ+ organizations — began with a conversation about the Muppets.
Brent Miller, the global LGBTQ equality leader for P&G and a gay man himself, was sitting in his New York City living room in 2020, having a virtual “water cooler” chat with colleagues. The conversation turned to LGBTQ+ people and how especially vulnerable they were in the pandemic.
Nonprofits were losing funding. Young people were sheltering in place, separated from in-person queer networks, and oftentimes trapped with unsupportive family members. With events canceled across the world, the future of Pride itself — the annual celebration that brings LGBTQ+ people together in a dazzling month of visibility — seemed uncertain.
How to,” Miller mused at the time, referring to the 1970s variety show featuring sketch comedy and music performances from puppets and celebrity guests. Oddly enough, the idea took hold. In fact, it became the heart of what would become Can’t Cancel Pride, a now-annual hourlong special that beams music and messages of hope to radios, TVs, and phones.
