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3mo ago

Kennedy Center Cancels Gay Men’s Chorus WorldPride Concert

The cancellation was attributed to financial and scheduling issues, though it follows President Trump’s controversial leadership overhaul of the institution.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing an executive order at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.
A statue of President John F Kennedy in The Reach; part of The Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC on Feb. 11, 2025.
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Pride parade

Overview

  • The Kennedy Center canceled 'A Peacock Among Pigeons,' a Pride concert featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and the National Symphony Orchestra, citing financial and scheduling conflicts.
  • The decision to cancel the performance was reportedly made before Donald Trump dismissed the board of trustees and appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center.
  • Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center has sparked criticism, with several artists withdrawing from scheduled performances in protest of his stated opposition to drag shows and diversity programming.
  • The Gay Men’s Chorus expressed disappointment over the cancellation but confirmed plans to perform the piece during their upcoming Choral Festival as part of WorldPride 2025.
  • The Kennedy Center’s programming shift under Trump has led to widespread backlash, including protests by LGBTQ+ activists and a potential strike by National Symphony Orchestra musicians.