Log Cabin Republicans Disrupted Yasmin Williams's Kennedy Center Performance

[demmiblue]

Kennedy Center staffers called security last week after DC’s Log Cabin Republicans chapter disrupted a performance by a musician they called “a vocal opponent of President Trump.”

Yasmin Williams, an Alexandria-based and globally hailed guitarist, made headlines earlier this year for sparring by email with new Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell. She nonetheless honored her pre-Trump-takeover contract to perform at the Millennium Stage on September 18. All was going well until about five minutes before curtain, when theater staffers learned that 50 passes had been set aside for men purportedly intent on heckling, booing, and harassing Williams.

“They said they were concerned for my safety,” Williams tells Washingtonian.

Those seats were reserved for the Log Cabin Republicans by Grenell’s office, multiple Kennedy Center employees said. A member of Grenell’s staff even distributed passes and welcomed the men as they arrived, a current staffer confirmed for Washingtonian.

Williams was stunned. “All of a sudden, all these security officers rolled up,” she says. After taking the stage with her custom guitar, she realized why the officers were present. “There were about 20 guys in suits, and some of them were wearing MAGA hats,” Williams says.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/09/23/log-cabin-republicans-yasmin-williams/

Ric Grenell, Kennedy Center president, organized a claque of Republicans to heckle a musician critical of Trump. It's like junior high school
www.washingtonian.com/2025/09/23/l...

— Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum.bsky.social) 2025-09-24T17:32:28.992Z

[ananda]

1. Maybe it's time for all respectable artists to boycott the Kennedy Center.

I really thought they would anyway, but I guess
I was wrong.

[Maru Kitteh]

4. Agreed! It's not an honor to perform at a Klan rally, is it.

Notice I forgot the question mark there.

No respectable persons should find themselves within those walls right now. Agree to return AFTER they take the burning cross off the front lawn.

[MagickMuffin]

7. "She nonetheless honored her pre-Trump-takeover contract to perform"

Apparently, she was being an honorable person, even though she didn't deserve to be harassed. Nevertheless, the magas decided to continue to always being jerks. And shame on the log cabin dudes for being racists assh*les!

[dsc]

8. She made a deal pre take over

I can see honoring deals being a value she might have had. I will say future performers should feel no compunction about not doing so

[ananda]

11. I see. Thanks.

...

[Wiz Imp]

9. They generally have.

Williams felt obligated to honor her contract.

[Biophilic]

2. They just have no shame.

The world for me, but not for thee. It’s really just sad. People fought for their right to be gay and out, but they feel they have the right to deny others similar privileges. Not good people.

[Keepthesoulalive]

3. They are republicans

Nothing else needs to be said.

[yellow dahlia]

5. Yikes!

Kudos to Williams for her professionalism and fortitude.

[Solly Mack]

6. Grenell planned that to happen.

Last edited Wed Sep 24, 2025, 03:40 PM - Edit history (1)

made headlines earlier this year for sparring by email with new Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell. She nonetheless honored her pre-Trump-takeover contract to perform at the Millennium Stage on September 18. All was going well until about five minutes before curtain, when theater staffers learned that 50 passes had been set aside for men purportedly intent on heckling, booing, and harassing Williams.

Those seats were reserved for the Log Cabin Republicans by Grenell’s office, multiple Kennedy Center employees said. A member of Grenell’s staff even distributed passes and welcomed the men as they arrived, a current staffer confirmed for Washingtonian.

[DFW]

10. Grenell, Trump's favorite gay fascist

During his first term, Trump appointed Grenell as ambassador to Germany. Grenell immediately said he saw his mission as promoting far right activity in the German-speaking area. The Germans were not amused.

[Cha]

12. JH! I wondered how the Log Rs were

taking all this anti LGBT shite...

So they're taking it well and Pouring Gas on the Fucking Tragedy.

This only Confirms Why Artists who Value Democracy AVOID the Takeover of the JFK Kennedy