The Kennedy Center has quietly canceled a week of LGBTQ+ events scheduled for this summer’s World Pride festival in Washington, D.C., following a major leadership shakeup that has refocused the institution’s priorities toward more traditional programming.
Several artists and producers involved in the “Tapestry of Pride” series, originally planned for June 5–8, told the Associated Press their events were either canceled or moved to other venues. In response, Washington’s Capital Pride Alliance has cut ties with the Kennedy Center.
“We are a resilient community, and we have found other avenues to celebrate,” said June Crenshaw, deputy director of the alliance, while also expressing disappointment that the festival events could not proceed as originally planned.
The Kennedy Center’s website still briefly references the Tapestry of Pride, but offers no event details. The Center declined to comment to media inquiries.
The decision follows sweeping changes made by President Donald Trump in February, when he removed the previous president and chairman of the Kennedy Center and replaced much of the board with new members. Trump was subsequently elected chairman of the board himself, ushering in a new era at one of the nation’s most prominent cultural landmarks.
The World Pride festival, held every two years, is set to begin May 17. Some organizers are voicing concern that Trump’s return to leadership, coupled with his administration’s focus on restoring common-sense policies regarding gender and public decency, could create a less welcoming environment for radical LGBTQ+ activism.
Michael Roest, director of the International Pride Orchestra, said his June 5 performance was canceled just days after Trump announced the leadership changes. Despite months of planning and communication, Roest said he received a terse one-line email ending negotiations: “We are no longer able to advance your contract at this time.” Roest has since moved his event to Strathmore Theater in Maryland.
Other Pride events, such as a drag queen story hour and parts of the AIDS Memorial Quilt display, have also been relocated to different venues around Washington, D.C.
Monica Alford, an event organizer who previously hosted a drag brunch at the Kennedy Center, said she was disappointed by the cancellations, describing the Kennedy Center’s recent programming as a “safe space” for the LGBTQ+ community. However, under new leadership, the Center appears to be moving away from programming that activists have increasingly used to promote controversial social issues.
Roest admitted that without a public declaration of support for LGBTQ+ causes, many radical activist groups would likely refuse to perform at the Kennedy Center moving forward—a reality that seems in line with the Center’s shift back toward its founding mission: showcasing America’s arts and culture, rather than promoting divisive political agendas.
The Kennedy Center will continue its summer programming with a focus on more unifying and family-centered events.
