Federal agency axes LGBTQ festival’s funding, says it ‘does not align’ with Trump’s priorities

The National Queer Theater, a nonprofit based in Brooklyn, is seeking online donations for its 2025 Criminal Queerness Festival after losing funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA revoked the $20,000 grant, citing a change in priorities to focus on specific projects. The festival, which features plays from countries that censor LGBTQ rights, relies heavily on this funding for its budget. The theater company has started a GoFundMe campaign to make up for the lost grant and ensure the festival’s success.