Several recent moves around this year's WorldPride festivities planned for Washington, D.C. following President Donald Trump's return to office have LGBTQs learning the nation's capital might not be big enough for the both of them.
On February 24, the San Francisco-based International Pride Orchestra announced its Pride celebration concert will be held at Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, Maryland after initial plans to hold it at the Kennedy Center were scrapped following Trump's decision to become the arts organization's new chair.
The June 5 concert is timed to coincide with World Pride, May 17-June 8, which is taking place this year in D.C.
"We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center," Michael Roest, the founding artistic director of the orchestra, stated in a news release. "The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression.
"However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us," he added. "Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation's capital."
In an unprecedented move earlier this month, Trump dismissed the center's board of directors and was himself elected board chair by the new board. That same day, February 12, the orchestra received a one-sentence email from the center after it had already been invited.
"We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract," the email stated.
In a social media post, Trump stated his intention to remove drag programming from the center, writing, "NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA."
The International Pride Orchestra started in 2022 and held its first performance June 22, 2023, as part of a fundraiser for LYRIC, the LGBTQ+ youth organization in the Castro. Its mission is to unite "LGBTQIA+ musicians from around the world to present concerts, celebrate community, and raise funds for LGBTQIA+ causes," according to its website. The orchestra is made up of volunteers.
Roest stated, "Music has always been a powerful force against hate and bigotry. ... In times of challenge, it reminds us of our shared humanity. The LGBTQ+ community has always shown resilience in the face of discrimination, and this concert will be a vibrant expression of that enduring spirit. We are honored to bring our music to the Strathmore Music Center and to stand together against intolerance."
San Francisco-based drag performer Peaches Christ will be the host of the Strathmore show, which will be June 5.
Peaches told the B.A.R., "I love being the emcee of the International Pride Orchestra, and this will be my third year. It is a super special event that really brings the community together and showcases talented queer people from all over the world."
A Kennedy Center spokesperson stated on background that the center didn't disinvite the group, and that the new leadership has not as yet canceled anything; rather, the email should be read only as a statement of fact that the contract could not be advanced at that time.
Ric Grenell, a gay man, was appointed interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. Trump stated on social media that Grenell "shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture."
It is unclear how long Grenell will remain in the position. He has said he'd explore a run for California governor in 2026 if Kamala Harris, the Democratic former vice president and 2024 presidential candidate, runs for governor. Harris, a former state attorney general and junior U.S. senator from the Golden State, has moved back to Los Angeles with her husband, Doug Emhoff. Grenell served as ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term and, for a short time, was acting director of national intelligence.
In other World Pride-related news, a May performance of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. alongside the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center was also scrapped, though that decision was made before Trump became the chairperson of the performing arts center, NBC News reported.
"We are deeply disappointed with the news that our upcoming Pride performance with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) has been canceled," the chorus stated. "We believe in the power of music to educate and uplift, to foster love, understanding, and community, and we regret that this opportunity has been taken away."
The National Symphony Orchestra cited financial and scheduling factors as the reasons for the cancellation, adding in a statement to NBC News that "program changes are a common practice."
And it's not just music being affected – as the Washington Blade reported, tech company Booz Allen Hamilton withdrew as a corporate sponsor of World Pride, stating its wish to comply with "recently issued presidential executive orders."
Though the company didn't state which executive orders it is trying to comply with, Trump executive orders state companies with government contracts couldn't promote diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Booz Allen did not respond to a request for comment.
As the B.A.R. reported, several nonprofits are suing the Trump administration to try to prevent implementation of the executive orders dealing with DEI.
WorldPride didn't return a request for comment for this report by press time.
Updated, 2/25/25: This article has been updated with a statement from the Kennedy Center.
LGBTQ Agenda is an online column that appears weekly. Got a tip on queer news? Contact John Ferrannini at [email protected]
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