Tucson's LGBTQ community rebuilds with plants and Pride After Tucson Pride disbanded in January, community members are regrouping around smaller, community-driven events, starting with a queer-focused plant and seed swap Sunday at Reid Park. In the wake of Tucson Pride's collapse, the city's LGBTQ community is figuring out what comes next, and for at least one organizer, the answer starts with plants. Tucson Pride, founded in 1977 and one of the oldest Pride organizations in the United States, announced its disbandment in January after canceling its annual festival and citing ongoing financial challenges. The board said any donations would be refunded within 30 to 90 days. The news blindsided many in the local LGBTQIA+ community. In response to the announcement on Facebook, community members expressed confusion and frustration, with some calling Tucson Pride a "cultural anchor" and a "lifeline for people who don't have one anywhere else." The shutdown left a significant void, prompting community members to gather at Bumsted's on March 23 to discuss what, if anything, should come next, with a handful of groups stepping up to take on a planning role, including Tucson Queerstory and the Sonoran Pride Alliance. During the forum, facilitated by the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation, about 60 community members voted 29 to 23 against hosting a 2026 Pride festival similar to past events, citing concerns about finances, time and organizational capacity, according to a report from the event. Participants brainstormed more than 130 ideas for what Pride could look like going forward, ultimately reaching consensus on 19 priorities. Three themes emerged from those discussions: a desire for smaller, grassroots events rooted in the local community rather than corporate sponsorship; a vision of Pride as a year-round presence rather than a single annual festival; and a call for transparent, accountable governance, including