Latest news with #pro-LGBTQ
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 Democratic senators protest Trump Kennedy Center takeover with gay pride concert
A group of five Democratic senators reportedly protested President Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the Kennedy Center by hosting a gay pride concert. The performance, dubbed 'Love is Love' and first reported by The New York Times, was held Monday night at a theater inside the Washington performing arts institution and included pro-LGBTQ songs and monologues. Sen. John Hickenlooper (Colo.) — one of the five Democrats behind the event — said in a statement, 'What's happening in the world is deeply concerning, but even in our darkest hours, we must continue to seek out the light.' The Monday concert, which came during Pride Month, aimed to 'honor the role that the freedom of expression and the theatrical arts play in continuing to expand LGBTQ rights in America,' Hickenlooper said. The musical performance was also hosted by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii) and Jacky Rosen (Nev.). 'As the Trump administration keeps up its hateful attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans, we're meeting their bigotry with resilience and joy,' Warren said. The concert came after Trump put himself in charge of the Kennedy Center in February, naming himself chair after accusing the arts hub of being too 'woke.' He appointed his envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, as its president. Several artists, including producers of the Broadway musical 'Hamilton,' canceled plans to perform at the Kennedy Center amid Trump's takeover. 'Hamilton' lead producer Jeffrey Seller said in March that the Kennedy Center was a 'sacred' setting that should be 'protected from politics.' Seller helped organize Monday's concert hosted by the senators. 'This is our way of reoccupying the Kennedy Center,' he told the Times. Grenell ripped the move Monday, calling it a 'political stunt' and saying in a statement that organizers were 'refusing to perform for audience members who don't share their personal politics' and attempting to 'cosplay as victims of intolerance.' Grenell said Hickenlooper's staff requested to rent one of the theaters at the Kennedy Center for 'what his team billed as a first annual talent show' and 'we were pleased to welcome them to the Kennedy Center in this capacity.' Instead, Grenell said, the Kennedy Center was 'used by political operatives to larp as victims of intolerance in order to get a story in the Times.' 'No one has been cancelled by the Kennedy Center; we welcome everyone who wants to celebrate the arts, including our compatriots on the other side of the political aisle,' Grenell said. '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,' he said. Updated at 11:05 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hill
5 Dem senators protest Trump Kennedy Center takeover with gay pride concert
A group of five Democratic senators reportedly protested President Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the Kennedy Center by hosting a gay pride concert. The performance, dubbed 'Love is Love,' was held Monday night at a theater inside the Washington performing arts institution and included pro-LGBTQ songs and monologues, according to The New York Times. Sen. John Hickenlooper (Colo.) — one of the five Democrats behind the event — told the publication, 'What's happening in the world is deeply concerning, but even in our darkest hours, we must continue to seek out the light.' 'The LGBTQ community has long embodied this resilience, maintaining joy and creativity in the face of adversity,' Hickenlooper said about the performance, which was also hosted by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wisc.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii) and Jacky Rosen (Nev.). Hickenlooper's office didn't immediately return ITK's request for further comment about the event, which was held during Pride Month. The concert came after Trump put himself in charge of the Kennedy Center in February, naming himself chairman after accusing the arts hub of being too 'woke.' He appointed his envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, as its president. Several artists, including producers of the Broadway musical 'Hamilton,' canceled plans to perform at the Kennedy Center amid Trump's takeover. 'Hamilton' lead producer Jeffrey Seller said in March that the Kennedy Center was a 'sacred' setting that should be 'protected from politics.' Seller helped organize Monday's concert hosted by the senators, The New York Times reported. 'This is our way of reoccupying the Kennedy Center,' Seller told the paper. Grenell ripped the move on Monday, calling it a 'political stunt' and saying in a statement that organizers were 'refusing to perform for audience members who don't share their personal politics' and attempting to 'cosplay as victims of intolerance.' Grenell said that Hickenlooper's staff requested to rent one of the theaters at the Kennedy Center for 'what his team billed as a first annual talent show' and 'we were pleased to welcome them to the Kennedy Center in this capacity.' Instead, Grenell said, the Kennedy Center was 'used by political operatives to larp as victims of intolerance in order to get a story in the Times.' 'No one has been cancelled by the Kennedy Center; we welcome everyone who wants to celebrate the arts, including our compatriots on the other side of the political aisle,' Grenell said. '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,' he said.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
McKinney 'Pride' Uses Kiddie Corner For Drag Queen Catwalk
Outrage has popped up across Texas after a recent 'Pride' event in McKinney featured over-sexualized drag performances aimed at children who were sitting in the front row. The 'Pride' themed event, billed as a family-friendly celebration, quickly devolved into a disturbing spectacle of adult 'entertainment' that left many questioning the motivations behind these so-called 'inclusive' celebrations. Photos and videos circulating online show drag performers in revealing outfits, one in a high-cut neon orange piece of lingerie, dancing and interacting with young children, raising serious concerns about the appropriateness of such displays at public events. The Texas Family Project posted a highlighted video of the event, with drag performers literally dancing in the faces of extremely young children in attendance with their parents. Adjacent to this shocking scene were multiple booths selling rainbow flags and other merch pedaled to the crowds looking to buy plastic wares emblazoned with pro-LGBTQ+ sayings or images. One person commented to the posted online video, saying, 'Society is cooked.' Another added, 'The word family has no place in this.' As The Dallas Express has previously highlighted, many Texans continue to argue that drag shows, often marked by adult themes and provocative dancing, have no place at publicly advertised family events – especially when children are present. Texas Family Project, a leading advocacy group to protect children across The Lone Star State, called on local officials to put an end to drag shows that target minors. With 'Pride Month' underway, many fear these events will become more frequent, exposing more children to grotesquely adult or sexual ideologies – ideologies that seem far from what a child should ever be thinking about. Those with left-wing ideologies continue to host these child-friendly drag shows almost as a provocation to any American with conservative values, let alone the basic apolitical value of protecting children. A series of grossly provocative efforts to expose children to not only LGBTQ+ events but simply events that are trying to blur the line between adult entertainment and family-friendly atmospheres, as previously covered by DX. The McKinney Area Democratic Club and the Collin County Democratic Party were featured tiered for the event. Many wonder when the imposed gender and sexual agendas are going to stop being imposed on innocent young kids – regardless of their parent's political views.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of "targeted violence" against religious groups after an evangelical conservative group held a rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor blaming Christians for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent. "We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion," Bongino wrote on X. The Christians' "Rattle in Seattle" demonstration began at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, where counter-protesters were also present, according to Fox 13. A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations as of 8 p.m., according to Seattle Police. No injuries were reported. Seattle Mayor Blames Christian Rally For Inspiring Violent 'Anarchists' Who 'Infiltrated' Counter-protest "Two opposing groups gathered along 4th Avenue. Streets around the dueling demonstrations were shut down for several hours, but reopened just before 8 p.m.," police said in a press release. Read On The Fox News App Fox News Digital has reached out to Seattle Police for possible updated arrest totals. Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's "Don't Mess With Our Kids" rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming the Christian rally and infiltrating "anarchists" for the violence breaking out at the counter-protest. Blue State Mayor Proposes City Ordinance To Strengthen Transgender Care Protections In The Face Of Trump Eos "Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice," the mayor said at the time. "Today's far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood." "Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did," he continued. The mayor also released respective statements on Tuesday from several of the city's Christian and Jewish leaders siding with Harrell and condemning the weekend "Rattle in Seattle" protest. "Mayday's desire is to wrap their personal hate, fear, and bigotry in Christian speak. It won't work," Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, a Baptist pastor, said in a statement. "The call of Jesus to his followers was to first love God and secondly to love our neighbors. In no way does the ideology or bad theology of this fringe group embody the love of God we are to exhibit. Those of us who actually follow the Jesus of the New Testament work to make the welcome tent bigger so that all God's children regardless of sexuality or sexual identity are welcome at the table of love, justice, grace, and mercy." Organizers of the "Rattle in Seattle" protest took issue with the mayor's statement, which they said showed religious bigotry and an attack on their First Amendment rights, and held the rally on Tuesday to protest his remarks. "Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators," the organizers said in a statement. "Under Mayor Harrell's leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the First Amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded." Fox News Digital has out to the mayor's office for article source: FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
New York Post
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
FBI to probe claims of ‘targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after an evangelical conservative group held a rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor blaming Christians for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent. 'We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion,' Bongino wrote on X. The Christians' 'Rattle in Seattle' demonstration began at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, where counter-protesters were also present, according to Fox 13. A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations as of 8 p.m., according to Seattle Police. No injuries were reported. 'Two opposing groups gathered along 4th Avenue. Streets around the dueling demonstrations were shut down for several hours, but reopened just before 8 p.m.,' police said in a press release. Fox News Digital has reached out to Seattle Police for possible updated arrest totals. 4 People rally in Seattle's Cal Anderson Park on May 24, 2025. KOMO News Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's 'Don't Mess With Our Kids' rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming the Christian rally and infiltrating 'anarchists' for the violence breaking out at the counter-protest. 'Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice,' the mayor said at the time. 'Today's far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city's values, in the heart of Seattle's most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood.' 4 Tuesday's protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA's 'Don't Mess With Our Kids' rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. KIRO7 4 Law enforcement detain a person during the clash between groups in Seattle over the weekend. KOMO News 'Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did,' he continued. The mayor also released respective statements on Tuesday from several of the city's Christian and Jewish leaders siding with Harrell and condemning the weekend 'Rattle in Seattle' protest. 'Mayday's desire is to wrap their personal hate, fear, and bigotry in Christian speak. It won't work,' Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, a Baptist pastor, said in a statement. 'The call of Jesus to his followers was to first love God and secondly to love our neighbors. In no way does the ideology or bad theology of this fringe group embody the love of God we are to exhibit. Those of us who actually follow the Jesus of the New Testament work to make the welcome tent bigger so that all God's children regardless of sexuality or sexual identity are welcome at the table of love, justice, grace, and mercy.' Organizers of the 'Rattle in Seattle' protest took issue with the mayor's statement, which they said showed religious bigotry and an attack on their First Amendment rights, and held the rally on Tuesday to protest his remarks. 4 Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged. KIRO7 'Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators,' the organizers said in a statement. 'Under Mayor Harrell's leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the First Amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded.' Fox News Digital has reached out to the mayor's office for comment.
