Be a part of the movement to end LGBT criminalization!
The inaugural Criminal Queerness Festival, presented by the National Queer Theater in New York City, will be a landmark event. Starting in June of 2019, in celebration of WorldPride and Stonewall’s 50th anniversary, the festival features the works of four international LGBTQ+ playwrights, from countries that criminalize queer communities. The festival, hosted at IRT Theater in New York, will feature 20 performances with 80 artists and an estimated 1000 audience members.
China, Tanzania, Egypt, and Pakistan are the respective homes of our four featured artists. 70 countries continue to imprison LGBTQ+ people, with six of those countries still practicing the death penalty. Artists are barred from showcasing their works due to censorship and fear of arrest. These selected artists, and their peers, bravely and boldly continue to speak, continue to create, and continue to unapologetically exist amongst the threat of persecution.
New York City is arguably the only place prepared to host such a revolutionary event. With access to a diverse group of actors, directors, and designers, we can cast each play authentically, while engaging with immigrant audiences. We are also able to bring in politicians and international Human Rights Advocates to create policy derived from the stories on stage. Educational talkbacks and expert panels will follow each performance led by artists and advocates alike.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Criminal Queerness Festival to cover the cost of artists pay, costumes, set, and marketing. For more detailed information on the festival, and an in-depth look at our playwrights and their work, please visit www.nationalqueertheater.org
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Photo Credits:
Waafrika 123- Kristen Stoeckeler
Drowning in Cairo- Sean Dodge-Velasco
Jhaanjar Di Paanwaan Chhankaar- The International News
