Statement on Kehlani’s Performance at San Diego Pride Festival

May 22, 2025 In light of San Diego Pride’s recent announcement regarding its 2025 headliner lineup, The Finest Community Coalition was compelled to speak out due to serious concerns raised about the inclusion of musical artist Kehlani and the impact this decision has on safety, belonging and solidarity across San Diego. Please see The Coalition’s full statement below:

The Finest Community Coalition exists to ensure that San Diego remains a place where our Jewish community can live safely, securely and proudly. We believe that Pride, like our mission, must be rooted in safety, dignity and belonging for all. That’s why we are deeply concerned by San Diego Pride’s decision to feature the artist Kehlani as a headliner at this year’s Pride Festival.

Pride should be a celebration of inclusion and solidarity, not a platform for divisive voices that incite hatred and violence. In recent months, Kehlani has amplified antisemitic rhetoric that is deeply harmful to the Jewish community. These messages go beyond political critique — they are dehumanizing, and they alienate and endanger Jewish San Diegans, including LGBTQ+ Jews. As a result of this decision, Jewish organizations and individuals that have long supported Pride have been put in a position in which they have to question their participation and whether this year’s event is truly a space where they will be safe and protected. 

San Diego is known as “America’s Finest City.” The decision to invite Kehlani to perform at Pride is not in line with this spirit. A celebration of one group should never come at the expense of another. There is no pride in exclusion — and when any marginalized group feels unsafe, we all lose. San Diego has no room for hate. 

Our movements are strongest when they include everyone. That means acknowledging the harm that antisemitism causes and responding with care and accountability. At a time of rising antisemitism and deepening division, we stand united in our belief that the safety, dignity and continuity of Jewish life in San Diego must be protected. LGBTQ+ Jews shouldn't have to choose between their LGBTQ+ identities and their Jewish identities.

Other respected institutions, including New York City Pride and Cornell University, have already taken steps to remove this artist from their events out of concern for safety and inclusion. San Diego Pride has the opportunity to show that inclusion truly means everyone. We urge San Diego Pride to make the right decision. San Diego Pride should consider the message it is sending and whether safety and equal rights can truly be hallmarks of this event under the present circumstances. We invite community leaders, elected officials and fellow San Diegans of all backgrounds to join us in raising their voices. 

The Finest Community Coalition A Wider Bridge American Jewish Committee - San Diego Anti-Defamation League - San Diego Camp Mountain Chai Chabad of Downtown

Congregation Beth Am Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Dor Hadash

Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego Hillel of San Diego IAC- Israeli American Council 

Jewish Collaborative of San Diego

Jewish Community Foundation San Diego

Jewish Family Service of San Diego Jewish Federation of San Diego Jewish National Fund-USA

KEN Jewish Community Leichtag Foundation Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Ohr Shalom Synagogue PeerK12 Playing Together Project

San Diego Association of Rabbis and Cantors San Diego Jewish Academy StandWithUs

Temple Adat Shalom

Temple Emanu-El Temple Solel The San Diego Community Kollel Young Israel of San Diego