Harvey Fierstein Claims Ban from Trump-led Kennedy Center

Harvey Fierstein has claimed that he has been banned from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, attributing this to President Donald Trump's takeover of the venue and alleging that his LGBTQ+-themed productions have been barred. In response, Richard Grenell, the openly gay president of the Kennedy Center appointed by Trump, labeled Fierstein's claims as a 'total lie,' inviting him to perform at the center and asserting that he is not banned. Fierstein criticized Trump's administration for attacking free speech and civil rights, warning that this is how freedom ends. He expressed outrage over the erasure of LGBTQ+ references in cultural discussions, highlighting the ongoing struggle for rights within the community. The situation has sparked debate about the center's inclusivity and the political climate surrounding artistic expression. Supporters of Fierstein have rallied around him on social media, voicing their discontent with the alleged censorship.