LGBTQ+ Media Firm Board Member Resigns Over Trump Hat Photo
Jay Katari stepped down from equalpride's board after editorial staff raised concerns about his social media posts supporting Donald Trump.
Jay Katari has resigned from the board of equalpride, the parent company of LGBTQ+ publications including The Advocate, Out, and Them, following an internal outcry over social media posts that showed him wearing a "Trump" hat. Katari, who had been appointed as a "Strategic Advisor, Growth & Innovation" two weeks prior, is no longer listed on the company's website.
The controversy began when journalist Kevin Ortega-Rojas reported on Katari's social media activity, highlighting a May 2024 Facebook photo of Katari wearing a red hat with the slogans "Trump" and "Keep America Great."
![Jay Katari wearing a red "Trump" hat poses with three other men on a balcony.]( "Jay Katari wearing a red "Trump" hat poses with three other men on a balcony.")
Ortega-Rojas also noted other social media activity from Katari, including following members of the Trump family and posts critical of former President Joe Biden. Katari's stated pronouns on social media, listed as "dude/bro/guy/man/Jedi," were also perceived by some as mocking the practice of listing preferred pronouns within the transgender community.
Editorial staff at equalpride's news outlets reportedly expressed strong concerns to leadership about Katari's involvement. In a statement to The Advocate, one of the company's magazines, the editorial team said they were "deeply concerned by reports that an equalpride board member had a history of expressing support for Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda on social media."
The statement continued, "Given this administration’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, it was immediately clear to us that his involvement with the company was untenable." Katari's resignation followed shortly after these concerns were raised.
Equalpride CEO Mark Berryhill announced Katari's departure in an internal email. In a statement shared by Berryhill, Katari expressed regret for any disruption his involvement may have caused. "My intention was simply to volunteer my time and experience to support the incredible team and the important work they do for the LGBTQ+ community," Katari stated.
According to The Advocate, Katari was appointed to the board under an agreement that allowed the company's lead investor group to appoint two directors without requiring CEO or management approval. This agreement has since concluded.
Katari is known as an entrepreneur with businesses focused on autism and assisting individuals with disabilities. He has previously made political donations, including $10,000 to former Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and $2,000 to politician Christopher Thieneman, according to OpenSecrets.
