In a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community of Arizona, NewFest, New York City's prominent LGBTQ+ film festival, is extending free virtual access to its screenings to Arizonans. This gesture comes on the heels of the cancellation of Phoenix's Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival, a move forced by President Donald Trump's executive orders that threatened diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as reported by NBC News.
The Desperado festival, a 16-year tradition, was shuttered by Paradise Valley Community College to avoid jeopardizing federal funding. David Hatkoff, the executive director of NewFest, described the cancellation as "a gut punch" and emphasized the importance of storytelling in the LGBTQ+ community. According to a Gothamist report, Hatkoff acknowledged the financial hit NewFest will absorb from offering the complimentary passes, yet remains committed to this supportive initiative, relying on donations to balance the budget.
The free passes will grant Arizonans access to about 130 films from NewFest's lineup which runs from October 9 to 21, and includes a diverse array of queer dramas, comedies, and independent projects. The full programming lineup will be announced on September 10, as noted by both NBC News and the Gothamist.
New York lawmakers have pushed back against the federal directives with new legislation and funding to protect LGBTQ resources. While the White House has not responded to requests for comment, Hatkoff stressed the significance of queer storytelling as a form of resistance, stating, "The antidote to that is telling our stories loudly and proudly." This sentiment, echoed in the statement made by Dale Heuser, co-coordinator of Desperado, to NBC News, highlights the resilient spirit of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of adversity.
Hatkoff told Gothamist that such acts of solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community are crucial, especially "if we’re not in solidarity with each other now, then what are we doing?"
