Under President Donald Trump, the Kennedy Center’s war on the performing arts continues. A number of Pride Month events have been canceled as organizers work to relocate activities.
According to The Associated Press, artists participating in the Kennedy Center’s Tapestry of Pride, which was scheduled to take place from June 5 to 8 during Washington, D.C.’s World Pride Festival, have been notified that the events have either been completely canceled or relocated to other venues.
Following the cancellations, Washington’s Capital Pride Alliance has completely disassociated itself from the cultural institution.
“We are a resilient community, and we have found other avenues to celebrate,” June Crenshaw, the alliance’s deputy director, told the Associated Press.
“We are finding another way to celebrate… However, the fact that we have to maneuver in this manner is disappointing.
Meanwhile, the Tapestry of Pride event remains listed on the Kennedy Center website, but no details or specific events are provided.
“Further information will be announced. In the meantime, visit the WorldPride website to learn about other events.
The shake-up follows massive changes at the Kennedy Center, which saw President Donald Trump fire the president and chairman in early February.
Trump replaced the majority of the board with loyalists, who unsurprisingly elected him as the new Kennedy Center chairman.
Since Trump’s self-appointment as chairman of the Kennedy Center, at least 26 performances have been canceled, 15 of which were previously scheduled.
Issa Rae called off her Feb. 14 show, citing “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.”
The World Pride event, which occurs every two years, begins in just under a month, from May 17 to June 8, with performances and celebrations planned throughout the capital city.
However, the Trump administration’s policies on transgender rights, as well as comments about Kennedy Center drag performances, have raised concerns about the reception attendees will receive.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller were scheduled to present Hamilton at the Kennedy Center in 2026, but they have since canceled the production, stating, “The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we will not be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We will not be a part of it.
