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March 10, 2025

"Reinstate Queer Programming": Drag Performers Lead Protest Outside Kennedy Center
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In Washington, D.C., drag performers led a protest outside the Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts on Friday to protest President Trump's
takeover of the institution. Last month, Trump fired the Kennedy
Center's president, replaced its board of trustees and named himself
chairman, writing that those fired "do not share our Vision for a Golden
Age in Arts and Culture." Drag performer Lord Henry spoke at the
protest.

Lord Henry: "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 at the Kennedy Center.
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,
denying funds to organizations supporting and protecting this queer art
form, as well as so much more."



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