A coalition of drag performers and their allies gathered outside the Kennedy Center on Friday to protest Donald Trump’s controversial takeover of the historic cultural institution. The protest, which began at Washington Circle before moving to the Kennedy Center, was sparked by Trump’s recent dismissal of the former president and 17 other board members, as well as his appointment of himself as chairman.
Trump, in his new role, announced plans to reshape the Kennedy Center by banning drag shows and what he described as “woke programming.” His actions, critics argue, signal an attack on queer art and culture in one of the nation’s most iconic cultural venues.
“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.”
Lord Henry’s comments reflect broader concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and performers, who view Trump’s move as part of a larger strategy to curtail rights and visibility for the queer community.
The protest included several prominent drag performers, including Brooke N Hymen, a trans man, who spoke out about the potential harm caused by the current political climate. “Drag is not just an invaluable form of self-expression but is a means of self-discovery,” said Hymen. “And not only are our livelihoods and artistry as drag artists under attack, but the very existence of trans people as well.”
Hymen criticized Trump’s actions as not only a threat to drag but also to the trans community, explaining that the attack on drag culture is tied to efforts to erase trans identities. “Beyond the executive orders meant to erase trans people from public life, Trump and his cronies want to define living in a trans body and expressing yourself in a way that aligns with your gender identity as ‘doing drag,’” Hymen said. “By attacking drag, they are attempting to outlaw trans people’s very existence.”
The Kennedy Center’s new leadership has already led to the cancellation of several performances and events, with prominent artists pulling out in response to the changes. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, canceled a scheduled performance of the popular musical at the venue. Similarly, actress Issa Rae also withdrew from an upcoming engagement, highlighting the cultural divide created by the new administration at the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center itself has also canceled several engagements that align with LGBTQ+ and pro-science themes. The cancellations include a World Pride concert featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., a post-Broadway showing of Eureka Day—a play centered on anti-vaccination themes—and Finn, a children’s musical about a shark that many have interpreted as a metaphor for the queer experience.
The protest outside the Kennedy Center underscored concerns that Trump’s vision for the institution represents a broader cultural shift aimed at silencing LGBTQ+ voices and erasing queer representation from mainstream culture. Supporters of the protest are also worried about the potential impacts of Trump’s policies on other cultural institutions across the country.
The takeover of the Kennedy Center by a figure like Trump has sent shockwaves through the artistic community, particularly in Washington, D.C., where local drag performers have long thrived. The protest, which featured performances by drag artists such as Crystal Edge, Indiana Bones, Cake Pop!, Tara Hoot, Mari Con Carne, Blaq Dinamyte, Mx. Noir, and Ricky Rosé, served as a vocal reminder of the importance of preserving artistic spaces that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
The demonstration is just the latest in a series of actions aimed at resisting what critics describe as a growing trend of political interference in the arts. As drag performers and their allies continue to speak out, their message remains clear: they will not allow the silencing of queer voices or the erasure of LGBTQ+ culture, especially in spaces that have long been a haven for marginalized communities.
In the coming weeks, organizers hope to mobilize further efforts to push back against Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center and his broader agenda targeting the LGBTQ+ community. As they continue to advocate for queer representation in the arts, their message is one of resilience and determination.
