Trump Pushes World Pride Out Of Kennedy Center As Community Finds New Spaces
Several WorldPride 2025 events in Washington, DC have found new homes after leaving the Kennedy Center. The moves follow recent White House actions affecting the venue’s leadership.
Events Find New Spaces
Key LGBTQIA+ events planned for Washington’s World Pride in May and June won’t happen at the Kennedy Center. These include the International Pride Orchestra concert, drag story hour, and art exhibits featuring AIDS Memorial Quilt panels.
Some organisers faced contract cancellations. Others moved their events after Trump fired Kennedy Center board members and made himself chairman in February.
Trump’s Words Spark Change
Trump made his position clear on Truth Social: “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.”
Ryan Bos, who runs Capital Pride Alliance, took note. “The Kennedy Center, as an arts and cultural institution, this is a type of space that has been a safe haven for our communities from the dawn of time,” he told NBC News. Trump’s message “goes counter to what pride is about.”
Capital Pride Alliance moved its Kennedy Center activities to the World Pride Welcome Center downtown. The International Pride Orchestra will play at Strathmore in Bethesda instead. Orchestra leaders got an email on February 12 saying their Kennedy Center show wouldn’t happen.
The Kennedy Center gets federal money and presidential board picks despite being technically independent. This creates tension between politics and arts programming.
Celebration Continues
Despite these venue changes, WorldPride goes on. The shifts show how cultural events adapt when faced with institutional roadblocks.
Events may move locations, but the spirit remains
