Cancellations follow major changes at the center made in February, when President Donald Trump fired its president and chairman.
A week of LGBT events scheduled for this summer’s World Pride festival at the Kennedy Center has been canceled, following a leadership change and new priorities at the renowned cultural institution, according to organizers and artists involved.
The Tapestry of Pride series, originally set for June 5 to 8, was intended to be a key part of World Pride celebrations in Washington, D.C. Multiple artists and producers said that their events were either quietly canceled or moved to other venues with little explanation. In response, the Capital Pride Alliance, a leading LGBT advocacy group in the city, has ended its partnership with the Kennedy Center.
“We are a resilient community, and we have found other avenues to celebrate,” said June Crenshaw, deputy director of the Capital Pride Alliance. “We are finding another path to the celebration … but the fact that we have to maneuver in this way is disappointing.”
The Kennedy Center’s website continues to list Tapestry of Pride with only a general description and a link to the World Pride site.
The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NTD News.
The cancellations follow major changes at the Kennedy Center in early February, when President Donald Trump fired both the president and chairman of the institution.
Trump replaced most of the board with his appointees, who then elected him chairman.
On Feb. 7, Trump announced the changes on Truth Social, writing, “I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
The post criticizes how the Kennedy Center had featured drag shows “specifically targeting our youth” last year and called for an end to such activities.
“The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation,” Trump wrote.
By Rudy Blalock
