By JOHN DALY
Pet Shop Boys are among an impressive list of performers set to play The Smithsonian Pride Alliance virtual concert Project Pride, a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and history taking place on May 31.
The concert features LGBTQ+ musicians, artists and allies, as well as highlights from the Smithsonian collections. Members of the alliance include the institution’s 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers and the National Zoo.
Project Pride will premiere on YouTube Sunday, May 31, at 8 p.m. ET. The program will be hosted by NPR’s Ari Shapiro and will feature LGBTQ+ artists from across the world, currently including Alex the Astronaut, Big Freedia Bright Light Bright Light; Cameron Esposito; Claud; Dorian Electra; girl in red; Indigo Girls; Jake Shears; Joy Oladokun; Kat Cunning; Madame Gandhi; mxmtoon; Nakhane; Pabllo Vittar; Pet Shop Boys; Roxane Gay; Rufus Wainwright; SOKO; Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne; Tunde Olaniran; VINCINT and more.
The program will be rounded out with visuals of LGBTQ+-related artifacts and stories from Smithsonian representatives. Participating Smithsonian museums include the Smithsonian American Art Museum; National Museum of American History; National Air and Space Museum; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; National Museum of African American History and Culture; the Smithsonian’s National Zoo; and more.