News Summary
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has announced he will not attend the upcoming Pride Festival due to safety concerns surrounding headliner Kehlani, whose comments about Israel have incited controversy. Following the mayor’s decision, multiple local Jewish organizations have also opted out of the festivities, citing similar fears. Despite backlash, San Diego Pride maintains Kehlani as a performer, emphasizing their commitment to free speech. The evolving situation highlights the intersection of cultural identity and community safety as the festival approaches.
San Diego – San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has officially announced that he will not attend the upcoming Pride Festival scheduled for July 19-20, citing safety concerns linked to headlining performer Kehlani and their controversial comments regarding Israel. The Grammy-nominated, nonbinary singer has come under fire for accusations of amplifying antisemitism through social media statements that criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The mayor conveyed his decision in a letter sent to San Diego Pride this week, which has led to significant fallout within the community. In response, eight local Jewish organizations and synagogues have withdrawn from attending the Pride festivities, expressing similar “safety concerns” regarding Kehlani’s performance.
The controversy surrounding Kehlani intensified following remarks made during an ongoing conflict with Hamas. While Kehlani has stated their intent is not antisemitic but rather “anti-genocide,” their use of phrases like “long live the intifada” in a music video has drawn accusations of inciting violence against Jews. Mayor Gloria noted that his office received a large number of calls and emails voicing alarm over Kehlani’s remarks, which he described as “regrettable and controversial rhetoric” that target the Jewish community.
In addition to the mayor’s withdrawal, both Jennifer Anger and Eliyahu Cohen-Mizrahi, Jewish volunteer directors of medical operations for the festival, have also resigned. This decision reflects a broader sense of discontent and concern within the Jewish community surrounding the lyrics and messages of the scheduled performer. The withdrawing groups have expressed heartbreak over their decision but maintain that they cannot attend the festival while an artist they perceive as promoting hate is performing.
Heidi Gantwerk, president of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, pointed out an increase in antisemitic incidents in the area and referenced violence in Boulder, Colorado, as factors amplifying their concerns. Parallel to this, the Finest Community Coalition, a group dedicated to combating antisemitism that comprises over two dozen local Jewish organizations, had formally requested on May 22 that San Diego Pride remove Kehlani from the program, yet noted that their concerns went unaddressed.
Despite the backlash, San Diego Pride has affirmed that Kehlani will still headline the festival. The organization insists on their commitment to free speech and clarifies that they do not endorse the views of individual performers. They have, however, encouraged input from community leaders and emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for any behavior perceived as offensive.
In light of these developments, Mayor Gloria has conveyed his deep concerns for safety at the event, highlighting the potential for protests stemming from Pride’s choice to retain Kehlani as a performer. Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El expressed hope that the mayor would reconsider attending the event, reflective of the original mission of Pride, which is rooted in unity and inclusivity.
The San Diego Pride Festival is set to take place in Balboa Park, with Kehlani booked to perform on July 19 and Kim Petras on July 20. Following the decision of multiple local Jewish organizations to withdraw, Pride’s board released a statement acknowledging their choice while simultaneously promoting attendance from the LGBTQ+ community as a show of solidarity.
As the festival approaches, the evolving situation underscores the complex interplay of cultural identity, free speech, and community safety in the context of public celebrations.
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Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego Pride
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: San Diego Pride 2025
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- NBC San Diego
- Google News: Kehlani San Diego Pride
