Skip to main content

To: Major Donors & Supporters of the Kennedy Center

Stop Funding Censorship and Support Diverse Artists

Qommittee
The response to President Trump's unprecedented Kennedy Center takeover, censorship and drag ban has been overwhelming - major artists canceling shows, board members resigning, and ticket sales plummeting 50%.

The Kennedy Center belongs to all Americans. When the government starts banning certain types of performances from our stages, it sets a dangerous precedent for all artistic expression.

While Trump won't back down, the donors who contribute nearly $100 million annually to the Kennedy Center can afford to take a stand. Money talks. When donors fund censorship, they don't just harm one institution - they tell marginalized communities their stories don't deserve to be told.

Because regardless of who you are, America is a place of free expression. No exceptions. We call on donors to:
  1. Suspend funding until artistic independence is restored
  2. Redirect support to banned or censored artists, artforms and the infrastructure that supports artistic freedom

Why is this important?

This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America's stage. 

Drag performers have been attacked directly, resulting in bomb threats, armed protests, and mass shootings. But we've also seen how communities from coast to coast stand up for art and inclusion when given the chance. We're not going anywhere.

Americans don't have to agree on everything, but we should be able to speak our minds and perform our art without bans, retaliation, or intimidation. 

Join us in standing up for artistic freedom. Sign now to protect the Kennedy Center and free expression for all.

Partner

Updates

2025-05-10 12:56:53 -0400

It's WORKING! New reporting shows that after Trump's takeover and drag ban at the Kennedy Center:
*Ticket sales have plummeted
*Donors have frozen contributions
*Major artists including Lin-Manuel Miranda have pulled out
*They're now selling $2M tickets hoping to fill the financial gap
*They're even considering diverting a potential $20B CBS lawsuit settlement to the Center

This proves what we've been saying: when cultural institutions ban drag and LGBTQ+ expression, there are consequences. And donors have power.

Your signature matters. Over 52,000 people have joined our call for donors to stop funding institutions that censor drag and LGBTQ+ expression. Can you please share the petition right now?

2025-05-10 00:10:21 -0400

50,000 signatures reached

2025-02-17 16:49:54 -0500

20,000 signatures reached

2025-02-17 15:13:06 -0500

10,000 signatures reached

2025-02-17 14:43:39 -0500

5,000 signatures reached

2025-02-08 14:04:49 -0500

1,000 signatures reached

2025-02-08 11:12:38 -0500

500 signatures reached

2025-02-08 10:03:13 -0500

100 signatures reached

2025-02-08 09:58:39 -0500

50 signatures reached

2025-02-08 09:56:23 -0500

25 signatures reached

2025-02-08 09:55:25 -0500

10 signatures reached