Controversy Arises Over Kehlani’s Role in Pride Festival

Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningFestivalsNews

Celebration of diversity and unity at the San Diego Pride Festival.

News Summary

A coalition of Jewish organizations is urging San Diego Pride to reconsider featuring Kehlani as a headliner for the upcoming Pride Festival, citing alleged antisemitic comments. The Finest Community Coalition believes Kehlani’s stance on Palestine may alienate Jewish attendees, potentially damaging the festival’s inclusive atmosphere. Following backlash and event cancellations related to Kehlani’s comments, the coalition advocates for unity and respect within the LGBTQ+ community. San Diego Pride has not yet commented on the objections regarding Kehlani’s participation.

San Diego – A coalition of organizations is urging San Diego Pride to reconsider featuring Kehlani as a headliner for the upcoming Pride Festival. The group, known as the Finest Community Coalition, comprises numerous local Jewish organizations that allege Kehlani’s comments regarding Palestine and Gaza include antisemitic rhetoric, potentially making the festival an unwelcoming place for Jewish attendees.

The coalition emphasizes that the Pride Festival should promote an inclusive atmosphere of solidarity, rather than amplify divisive messages that could spark hatred. They argue that Kehlani’s statements not only harm Jewish individuals but may also endanger members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as Jewish.

Kehlani, who identifies using they/them pronouns, has shown public support for Palestinians amid an ongoing conflict that heightened following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Their stance includes criticisms of fellow artists for maintaining silence about the situation in Gaza. In 2023, they signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza. In 2024, their advocacy continued as they encouraged other musicians to support Gazans in distress.

Recently, backlash against Kehlani intensified when Cornell University canceled its Slope Day event, which was supposed to feature the artist. The university’s president indicated that Kehlani had expressed antisemitic sentiments through various forms of media. In response to these accusations, Kehlani took to Instagram, clarifying that their anti-genocide stance should not be confused with antisemitism.

A free concert featuring Kehlani, scheduled during Pride Month in June, was also canceled by New York City Mayor Eric Adams due to security concerns relating to their comments on Palestine. These events have heightened tensions regarding Kehlani’s role in community festivals, particularly in light of the impending Pride Festival in Balboa Park scheduled for July 19-20, where Kehlani is set to perform on July 19, followed by headliner Kim Petras on July 20.

In light of the situation, many Jewish organizations that have historically supported the Pride Festival are now reconsidering their participation in this year’s event, illustrating a growing division within the LGBTQ+ community regarding issues of antisemitism and free speech. The Finest Community Coalition is advocating for a collective approach across San Diego to combat antisemitism, emphasizing the need for unity, understanding, and respect for all groups involved.

As of now, requests for comment from San Diego Pride regarding the objections raised and Kehlani’s participation remain unanswered. The unfolding controversy highlights a significant cultural and political moment in which advocacy for one group’s rights can sometimes intersect with the sensitive issues pertaining to another group’s history and experiences.