Drag queens and allies took to the streets on Saturday with chants in opposition of the censoring of recent events and shows being axed. The protests were in response to President Donald Trump's recent takeover of the Kennedy Center and his remarks attacking the LGBTQ+ community.
Trump has fired the former leadership of the institution and made himself chairman of the organization's board, where he vowed to ban drag shows and denounced "woke programming."
Not only that, but the center has canceled other LGBTQ+ friendly shows, including a World Pride Month concert and a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of D.C.
“We demand that the Kennedy Center board reinstate queer programming, including but not limited to drag-oriented workshops and shows, and any other equity and DEI initiatives,” said drag king Lord Henry, one of the rally’s speakers.
“We want to force Congress to drop the multiple attempts at criminalizing gender nonconformity, including Trump’s executive order conflating sex and gender, and the attacks on drag artists through budget amendments.”
The center has already seen several events canceled in light of Trump’s takeover. One of the biggest was when Lin Manuel Miranda canceled a performance of his popular musical, Hamilton.
"This egregious misuse of power is affecting generations across the country while targeting those most marginalized and vulnerable," said drag artist Ricky Rosé. "To stifle artistic expression is to stifle passion and progress toward a brighter, more loving, and ultimately more inclusive future."
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