President of the Kennedy Center Richard Grenell labeled five Democratic senators jointly hosting a pride concert Monday at the Kennedy Center a “political stunt” in a statement first obtained by the Daily Caller.
Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper is hosting the “Love is Love” concert at the Justice Forum, a lecture hall located in the Reach, part of a Kennedy Center expansion initiative, according to the outlet. He invited Jeffrey Seller, “Hamilton’s” lead producer, to produce the gay pride concert.
“What’s happening in the world is deeply concerning, but even in our darkest hours, we must continue to seek out the light,” Hickenlooper said in a statement.
They reportedly did not disclose the reason for the rental during the booking process.
President of the Kennedy Center Richard Grenell criticized the move as a “larp” in the statement obtained by the Caller. “Earlier this month, Senator Hickenlooper’s staff asked to rent space at the Kennedy Center for what his team billed as a first annual Talent show. We were pleased to welcome them to the Kennedy Center in this capacity. We were only later notified by the New York Times that Senator Hickenlooper’s event was instead an invite-only political stunt where, once again, the Kennedy Center was being used by political operatives to larp as victims of intolerance in order to get a story in the Times.”
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 03: The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts building is seen on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. According to sales data, subscription sales for the Kennedy Center have fallen 36 percent from the previous year. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
“The L.G.B.T.Q. community has long embodied this resilience, maintaining joy and creativity in the face of adversity,” Hickenlooper continued.
The other Democratic senators uniting to host the event include Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, according to the NYT.
Seller told the outlet in an interview that Hickenlooper reached out to him weeks before the event to see if he wanted to take part in some “guerrilla theater.”
The producer said he put together the 90-minute concert “to celebrate gay characters, gay culture, gay music and gay pride.”
“This is our way of reoccupying the Kennedy Center,” Seller said.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 17: U.S. President Donald Trump leads a board meeting at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. After shunning the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term in the White House, Trump fired the center’s president, removed the bipartisan board of Biden appointees and named himself Chairman of the storied music, theater and dance institution. Seated with Trump are (L-R) Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, President of The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees Richard Grenell and Interim Vice Chair Jennifer Fischer. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“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,” he continued.
The senators seemingly orchestrated the gay pride celebration for June 23 to align with Pride Month. (RELATED: Trump-Run Kennedy Center Hosts Free Screening Of Christian Animated Film ‘The King Of Kings’)
Trump did not acknowledge Pride Month after taking control of The Kennedy Center in February, the NYT noted. Multiple groups have canceled their events at the facility since Trump turned over the leadership and appointed Richard Grenell as the center’s president.
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