Washington, D.C. — A series of planned events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights at the Kennedy Center this summer, part of the World Pride festival, has been abruptly canceled amid ongoing leadership changes at the venue. This decision has led to significant disappointment among artists and community leaders involved in the events.
Scheduled for June 5-8, the Tapestry of Pride programming included performances and celebrations designed to honor LGBTQ+ contributions. However, multiple participants reported that their events have either been canceled without prior notice or relocated to different venues. In response, the Capital Pride Alliance has chosen to disassociate from the Kennedy Center, citing a lack of communication and support.
June Crenshaw, the deputy director of the Capital Pride Alliance, expressed the community’s resilience. “While we are navigating new paths to celebrate, it’s disheartening we have to do so in this way,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for effective alternatives to honor the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite the events being removed from the Kennedy Center’s official calendar, the center’s website still lists the Tapestry of Pride with minimal information. Attempts to reach the Kennedy Center for comments regarding the cancellations went unanswered.
The turmoil follows significant structural changes at the Kennedy Center, including the dismissal of its president and chairman shortly after a shift in political leadership. This upheaval has left many artists, including those associated with the International Pride Orchestra, in limbo. Founder Michael Roest was preparing for a performance at the center when he learned its programming focus would change under the new management. “We had been in the final stages of planning when they suddenly went silent,” he explained.
Roest managed to reschedule his performance at the Strathmore theater in Bethesda, Maryland, but remains frustrated with the Kennedy Center’s lack of communication. He emphasized that the shift in leadership has created a sense of uncertainty regarding the center’s inclusivity moving forward.
Other events affected include family-oriented activities like a drag story time and displays related to the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which will now take place at the World Pride welcome center in Chinatown. Organizer Monica Alford, who has a longstanding relationship with the Kennedy Center, lamented the loss of partnerships fostered over the years. “This space has always felt like home for the queer community,” she said, recalling the successful drag brunches she previously organized.
Following these developments, Roest is skeptical about the future of LGBTQ+ events at the center. “For us to even consider returning, there would have to be a clear and public commitment to inclusivity,” he stated. The overall sentiment among many artists is one of loss, as the Kennedy Center was seen not only as a premier venue but as a bastion of support for their community.
As World Pride approaches, many in the LGBTQ+ community are left searching for new venues and opportunities to celebrate their identities and heritage amidst significant upheaval.