Democrat Senators Host LGBTQ Pride Protest Concert at Kennedy Center

In June 2025, five Democratic senators organized an LGBTQ Pride-themed concert titled “Love is Love” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as a form of protest against President Donald Trump's control of the institution and his administration's stance on LGBTQ issues. The concert, held in a small theater called the Justice Forum, featured Broadway artists and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, with Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller coordinating the event at the invitation of Sen. John Hickenlooper. The senators used a congressional privilege to rent the space, originally under the pretense of a talent show, which Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, a Trump appointee, condemned as a political stunt designed to portray victims of intolerance. This event came after President Trump appointed Grenell as interim director and criticized the Kennedy Center for being "too woke," promising a shift towards more traditional and family-friendly programming. The concert was seen by supporters as a celebration of resilience and visibility for the LGBTQ community amid what they view as an administration hostile to their rights, while critics framed it as a partisan provocation exploiting the cultural venue for political messaging. The event highlighted ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and Democratic lawmakers on one side and President Trump’s cultural policies on the other, particularly regarding LGBTQ recognition and Pride Month celebrations.