Washington, D.C. — A series of events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights, planned as part of this summer’s World Pride festival, have been canceled by the Kennedy Center, signaling a significant shift in priorities and resulting leadership changes. The planned Tapestry of Pride events, scheduled for June 5 through 8, have seen multiple artists and producers affected as they learned, often quietly, about cancellations or relocations to other venues.
Amid these cancellations, the Capital Pride Alliance has distanced itself from the Kennedy Center. “As a resilient community, we have found alternative ways to celebrate,” said June Crenshaw, the deputy director of the alliance. “While we are navigating these challenges, it is disheartening that we must do so.”
The Kennedy Center’s website continues to list Tapestry of Pride, but with minimal information and a link to World Pride. There has been no comment from the center regarding the cancellations or the current situation.
These developments come after a tumultuous phase for the Kennedy Center, including significant changes initiated by the Trump administration, which saw the dismissal of the institution’s president and chairman in early February. Following this upheaval, many new board members were appointed, leading to a reevaluation of the center’s programming and mission.
World Pride, which occurs biennially, is set to take place from May 17 to June 8, featuring diverse performances and celebrations across the city. However, recent policies from the Trump administration regarding transgender rights and commentary on drag performances have raised concerns among community members about potential reception during the festivities. “While D.C. is poised to host World Pride, the atmosphere may differ from the prevailing government sentiments,” noted Michael Roest, founder and director of the International Pride Orchestra, whose planned performance at the Kennedy Center was abruptly canceled in the aftermath of leadership changes.
Roest reported that he was finalizing details for the performance when the announcement of new leadership emerged. He described a sudden lack of communication from the Kennedy Center, which he stated went from eagerly engaging with him to complete silence. Ultimately, he received a brief email indicating that his contract could not be advanced. Despite these challenges, Roest has arranged for his orchestra to perform at the Strathmore theater in Bethesda, Maryland.
Additionally, several other events, such as a drag story hour and an exhibition of portions of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, have been relocated to the World Pride welcome center in Chinatown. Monica Alford, an experienced event planner who organized a family-friendly drag brunch at the Kennedy Center, lamented the end of the partnership she had built with the institution. “It felt like a safe space for the queer community, and losing that connection is a real blow,” she said.
Both Roest and Alford expressed disappointment over the lack of explanation regarding the cancellations. Roest indicated that he and many queer artists would likely refrain from future collaborations with the Kennedy Center without a clear, public commitment to inclusivity. “It would take a very public statement from the administration and new board to consider the space safe again,” he remarked.
As the LGBTQ+ community gears up for World Pride, the circumstances surrounding the Kennedy Center serve as a reminder of ongoing struggles for representation and support in the arts. The response from local venues will demonstrate the resilience of an ever-evolving community committed to celebration and advocacy against the backdrop of changing political climates.