Democrats Organize Pride Concert at Kennedy Center

Five Democratic senators are hosting an exclusive pride concert at the Kennedy Center on Monday night, which is seen as a protest against President Donald Trump’s management of the venue, according to reports.

Senator John Hickenlooper from Colorado is leading the event, titled “Love Is Love,” at the Justice Forum, an auditorium linked to the Kennedy Center Expansion Initiative. He has brought in the lead producer of “Hamilton,” Jeffrey Seller, to help organize the concert focused on gay pride.

“What’s happening globally is significant, yet even in the toughest times, we must seek out the light,” Hickenlooper stated.

Details regarding the rental’s purpose were not shared during the booking process.

“The LGBTQ community has always shown resilience and kept joy and creativity alive, even amidst struggles,” Hickenlooper added.

Other Democratic senators involved in this initiative include Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, Jackie Rosen from Nevada, Brian Schatz from Hawaii, and Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts.

Seller mentioned in an interview that Hickenlooper had reached out to him weeks before the event to see if he’d like to engage in this so-called “guerrilla theatre.”

They crafted a 90-minute concert aimed at celebrating gay characters, culture, music, and pride. “This is how we can re-occupy the Kennedy Center,” Seller remarked.

Hickenlooper emphasized the concert as a form of expression, stating, “We’re here, we exist, and you can’t ignore our presence. This is both a protest and a political statement.”

The timing of the event aligns intentionally with the June 23rd Gay Pride Celebration, coinciding with Pride Month. Notably, Trump has not recognized Pride Month since taking control of the Kennedy Center in February. The New York Times highlighted that multiple groups have opted out of events at the center following Trump’s leadership change and the appointment of Richard Grenell as its president.