The Kennedy Center Honors award is a medallion that features the rainbow ribbon which is shown above on the left. It is similar to the Pride flag, and almost identical to the original version of the flag which was created by vexillographer Gilbert Baker in 1978 at the request of Harvey Milk (read article). However, it doesn’t have anything to do with gender. It represents the wide spectrum of skills within the performing arts. It was designed to represent the honorees' lifetime contributions to American culture through the arts.
More about the design of the award from Distractify:
As Ivan (the designer) told The Washington Post Sunday in 2008, he didn't intend for it to evoke the style of the rainbow flag, which was first designed by a gay activist named Gilbert Baker and debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade celebration on June 25, 1978.
"That spectrum was what I had in mind in the first place, in that it's a spectrum of many skills within the performing arts," Ivan said. "Singing, dancing, and so on."
Unlike the Academy Award or the Grammy Award, the ribbon has a distinctive, eye-catching design that makes the honorees immediately stand out from the crowd.
Even so, I wouldn’t be surprised if, when Trump realizes how similar it is to the Pride flag, he orders it to be changed. If he does, you can bet it will be gold. It might very well have Trump’s head on it with or without massive muscles:
I was thinking this morning about how folks like us keep grasping at straws that Trump screw-ups up, even in very minor ways. We want to feel a fleeting moment of pleasure over some Trumpian goof.
For example, I thought how it would be a delightful diversion, however fleeting, if one of the Kennedy Center honorees had a profound pang of conscience and decided to go public and refuse the award because the Trump touch had tarnished (or put a stink on) the it.
From what I’ve read so far (here for example), members of KISS are all in with being Trump/Kennedy Center honorees.
I asked the DuckDuckGo AI whether KISS embraced drag show culture and this is the response I received:
KISS, the rock band known for their theatrical performances and elaborate costumes, does not specifically embrace drag show culture, but their use of makeup and flamboyant personas shares similarities with drag aesthetics. While they may not be directly associated with drag, their performances celebrate theatricality and gender expression, which are key elements in drag culture. Wikipedia bowiecreators.com
KISS and Drag Show Culture
Influence of Drag in KISS's Aesthetic
KISS, known for their theatrical performances and elaborate costumes, has elements that resonate with drag culture. Their use of makeup, flamboyant outfits, and exaggerated personas aligns with the principles of drag, which often emphasizes performance and visual spectacle. The band's members adopt larger-than-life characters, similar to drag performers who create distinct identities on stage.
Public Perception and Acceptance
While KISS does not explicitly identify as part of drag culture, their embrace of theatricality has contributed to a broader acceptance of diverse performance styles in rock music. The band's flamboyant image has paved the way for other artists to explore gender expression and performance art, which are central to drag culture.
Cultural Impact
KISS's influence can be seen in how they have helped normalize extravagant performance styles in mainstream music. This has opened doors for various forms of artistic expression, including drag, allowing for a more inclusive environment in entertainment.
In summary, while KISS may not directly embrace drag culture, their theatrical style and performance art share similarities that have contributed to the acceptance of diverse expressions in the entertainment industry.
Even so, they still passed muster with Trump. Hell, no matter that The Village People’s “YMCA” is considered a gay anthem (read article), Trump has it played at his rallies.
Michael Strait, who played the phantom in Phantom of the Opera is, as far as we know, not gay. However look up “is the phantom of the opera (character) gay ? This is some of what you’ll see:
From The Mary Sue
Finding Queer Longing in The Phantom of the Opera - The Mary Sue
There's a deep undercurrent of queer longing in the Phantom's story: an outcast who just wants to be with the person he loves as he is.
Below is from gaysi:
Excerpt: There's something about The Phantom of the Opera that lingers long after the final note fades. Something more than the music, more than the romance, more than the tragedy. It's a story that settles into the bones, a whisper of longing, of isolation, of the unbearable ache of being unseen.
Despite the fact that Sylvester Stallone played Rambo and Rocky, who not only had rippling muscles and oozed bravery, the characters, one presumes, would be so honest they’d donate a $20 bill they found on the street to charity, he has luxuriated in the afterglow of the most crooked cheating president in history. Stallone called Trump the second George Washington (article).
Washington is the president known for the “I cannot tell a lie” cherry tree myth (article). If there’s any doubt that Trump who is as demonstrably lovey dovey with Sly as he can be with anyone of the male persuasion look at the photos below:
While, like with many celebrities who aren’t gay, there have been rumors about another honoree. The tabloid rumors say that country star George Stait is not straight even though there are no indications that he is gay (read article).
Strait isn’t an out and out Trumper like Kid Rock, but there are signs he does support him. For example, in “George Strait’s Politics: Is the King of Country a Trump Supporter or Republican?” we have this:
Then there’s the Trump dance. In December 2024, Strait playfully broke out Trump’s signature fist-pumping move onstage, sending the crowd into a frenzy. It wasn’t an endorsement, but it wasn’t not an endorsement either, especially in a genre where even a raised eyebrow can signal political leanings. Strait’s fanbase, largely rural and conservative, certainly took it as a wink.
Gloria Gaynor, who is known for the song “I Will Survive” has denied that she is a feminist. Like YMCA, this song is seen as a gay anthem. So how does she feel about Trump and about how this song has been interpreted? Here’s the answer:
Here’s an excerpt:
The Christian singer has refused to confirm if she thinks being gay is wrong. She was previously asked about how she feels about being a gay icon, to which she responded: “I feel good about it because I feel it is a platform for my purpose, which is to bring the love of Christ to all of my fans. Because they trust me, I think.”
Asked if she has a religious opposition to homosexuality, she said: “I want to lead them [her fans] to Christ and what he has for them. I want to lead them to him, I want to lead them to truth.”
Could this good Christian realize that Trump is anything but a good Christian? Yeah, like that would happen…
She absoultely denies being characterized as a feminist. If she had embraced anythig about feminism, this would be way too woke for Trump to allow her to receive this honor. Consider:
Consequence:
Gloria Gaynor Explains Why She Doesn't Identify as Feminist
Gloria Gaynor has revealed in a recent interview that she believes there's a "misconception" to labeling her as a feminist.
Music Times:
'I Will Survive' Singer Gloria Gaynor Denies Feminism Ties: 'I Love Men'
May 6, 2025Gloria Gaynor has revealed that she is not a feminist, one thing the public has apparently been wrong about for years.
Soap Central:
Does Gloria Gaynor identify as feminist? I Will Survive singer's ...
Rolling Out:
Gloria Gaynor insists she "loves men" and says embracing feminism is the biggest misconception about her.
Only a select few know who was on the original list for consideration to be honored by the Kennedy Center this year. I have no doubt that they all were carefully vetted and swore a blood oath that they would show their gratitude and happiest of happy faces when the the awards were announced and dutifully grovel when Trump presented the Pride flag…. uh, I mean the actual award.
This is the main page article on Huffpost:
It os titled 'Everyone Is So Scared': Inside The Smithsonian As Trump Attacks Art, History.
Here’s a photo from the article:
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