Democratic Senators Host Pride Concert to Protest Trump’s Takeover of The Kennedy Center

Five senators presented “Love Is Love,” a concert during Pride Month as a symbolic protest against Trump’s leadership of the venue

In what they called a “political act,” the democratic senators John Hickenlooper (Colorado), Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), and Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), recently rented the 144-seat Justice Forum lecture hall at the Kennedy Center to celebrate gay pride, music, and culture. 

Titled “Love Is Love” — a slogan used by the gay rights movement — the  90-minute concert was produced by Jeffrey Seller, the lead producer of the hit musical Hamilton, which withdrew a planned 2026 run at the Kennedy Center following President Trump’s takeover in February. 

As reported by the New York Times, the concert was held before an invited audience and featured performances by Broadway artists with many of the songs and monologues filled with L.G.B.T. themes.

Among the performers was the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, whose concerts at the Kennedy Center were withdrawn by the venue following Trump’s criticism of the center’s past programming, particularly those that showcased drag culture. 

NYT added that in a departure from previous presidents, Trump has not acknowledged Pride Month, and his actions have also resulted in many artists cancelling their shows at the venue. 

“What’s happening in the world is deeply concerning, but even in our darkest hours, we must continue to seek out the light,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “The L.G.B.T.Q. community has long embodied this resilience, maintaining joy and creativity in the face of adversity.”

One of the appointees serving in the Trump administration, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell has rejected the idea that the center has shown antipathy toward L.G.B.T.Q. groups, while accusing the left of intolerance, and expressing dismay over Pride celebrations in general.

Hickenlooper explained he had planned a “backup theater” in case things fell through, but ultimately felt the concert “belonged” at the Kennedy Center. 

Grenell expressed disappointment about the event and said he had agreed to rent the space to Hickenlooper for what the senator’s team had called “a first annual talent show.” 

“No one has been cancelled by the Kennedy Center,” Grenell wrote on X. “We welcome everyone who wants to celebrate the arts, including our compatriots on the other side of the political aisle. We especially welcome artists and audience members who come to the Kennedy Center not for partisan political pranks but to experience excellence in the performing arts.”

“Love Is Love” ended with a song from Les Misérables (one of Trump’s favorite shows), which is currently running at the Kennedy Center. This version had changed some of its lyrics in reference to the president and had some performers hold rainbow pride flags on stage.

“Every attack on LGBTQ+ rights by the Trump administration is an attack on human rights, on freedom, and on every American’s right to equal protection under the law," Senator Schatz explained. “We have come too far to go backward. Now is the time to stand up and fight back in every way we can – in the courts, at the ballot box, in peaceful protests, and with the arts.”

“This is our way of reoccupying the Kennedy Center,” Hickenlooper added. “This is a form of saying, ‘We are here, we exist and you can’t ignore us.’ This is a protest, and a political act.”