Kennedy Center cancels LGBTQ+ pride events amid leadership changes

In early February 2020, significant changes occurred at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., leading to the cancellation of events celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals as part of the World Pride festival. This decision followed President Donald Trump's dismissal of the center's leadership and his appointment of a new board, which sparked concern regarding the future programming and inclusivity of the venue. Various artists and producers involved in the Tapestry of Pride series, scheduled for June 5 to 8, found their events canceled or relocated without prior notice. The Capital Pride Alliance, a prominent local organization, publicly disassociated itself from the Kennedy Center due to the abrupt cancellations. June Crenshaw, the alliance's deputy director, expressed disappointment but maintained that the community would find alternative ways to celebrate. Multiple performances, including one by the International Pride Orchestra, had to be swiftly transferred to different venues after the Kennedy Center became unresponsive to event organizers. There was a notable contrast between the excitement of the local community for hosting World Pride and the apprehension surrounding government actions that seemed to hinder LGBTQ+ celebrations. As this situation unfolded, involved performers struggled to understand the swift change in the Kennedy Center's attitude towards their planned engagements. Michael Roest, the founder of the International Pride Orchestra, recounted the abrupt change in communication after Trump's takeover. While he had been close to finalizing contracts, the center's direction changed overnight, leading to unexpected cancellations. Similar sentiments were echoed by other event organizers who lamented the loss of partnerships that had historically offered support for LGBTQ+ programming and community events. Despite the disappointments, organizers remain committed to ensuring that the celebration continues in different formats and locations, reflecting the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Plans for other related events, such as a drag story time and displays of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, have been restructured to fit within the new reality post-cancellation, highlighting the community's determination to persist despite setbacks encountered from governmental policy shifts and institutional changes.