DEI Cuts Have Hit the Valley, LGBTQ Artists are on the Frontline

Written by Twixx the Drag Queen

9.23.25

Twixx the Drag Queen, photo by @dymedaddy

The art of drag is ever changing, at its core it reflects the culture we live in. I’ve never really created projects with longevity in mind. If we’re lucky, our work tells our story and passes it along to new generations. LGBTQ+ artists generate culture, context, and cash for everyone around us and lately in return all we get is DEI cuts. In my eyes, politicians, ultra wealthy art funders, and program administrators have been shortsighted. Phoenix queer artists have important stories to share, but it seems like the city’s decision makers don’t want to hear them.

In January, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning DEI practices on federally funded institutions. We knew that this EO would have broad implications for BIPOC professionals and one devastating implication has shown itself within the artists community.

This year in Phoenix, LGBTQ artists have had programs defunded, disbanded, and edited beyond recognition in a heartless and systematic way. Starting with the student filmmakers at the Paradise Valley Community College, where they defunded the LGBTQ+ film festival entitled Desperado. The festival spent 16 years creating a space for Queer filmmakers from around the world. In January 2025, they presented their most recent festival and after more than a decade of being the only LGBTQ film festival in AZ, Desperado was put on hold thanks to the DEI Executive Order.

Next, within the nation's largest community college system, Maricopa Community College, new guidelines resulted in the queer affinity group called Equality Maricopa being disbanded. I spoke to the president of Equality Maricopa Jay Franzen, and he talked about the amazing community that the affinity group built for students and staff alike. We also talked about the scholarship programs offered by Equality Maricopa which have helped so many students and will continue thanks to the affinity group reforming as a nonprofit.

Then, to add insult to injury, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art changed an exhibit called “Transfeminisims” into something called “There Are Other Skies”. The curators of the original exhibit in London made news when they discussed how the SMoCA exhibit lacked some of the original pieces and perhaps tells a slightly different story. These actions might seem small to some but to LGBTQ+ artists the dogwhistle is loud and clear, the art is praised while the artist is disregarded.

So what’s next? In times like these, artist collectives are needed more than ever. I started Black Artists Found in Phoenix (BAFip.org) with my friends and family to address the disconnect I saw between black and queer artists. We work with black artists to gather easily accessible grant information, wellness programs, and gallery connections. We have an open door to any artists who feel affected by these events and need resources. We also recommend organizations like Thyrd Space and Trans Queer Pueblo. Thyrd Space is a salon style social club that focuses on slow gatherings, dialogue, and kinship. In moments like this, authentic conversations and community building may just save us from resisting alone. Trans Queer Pueblo is an abolitionist community made up of 300+ LGBTQ migrants, Indigenous, and Afro-Descendant people in Phoenix. No matter the org you link with or donate to, we must remember our collective power and continue to fight back.

This fall, local Phoenix youth led film screenings are also populating in a natural response to this cause. A.M.O (Artistas Moviendo Obras) art collective recently hosted an exhibition of video works at Gracie's Tax Bar, highlighting a range of film styles and narratives from a selection of local artists. Similarly, Palabra, a Phoenix artist destination that is equal parts art gallery, hair studio, coffee shop and event space, recently announced their new film screening series hosted by Parker Corey, with their first screening on September 18th. From their announcement via Instagram, “Born out of a desire to fill the gaping void of art house cinemas in Phoenix, we’re hosting free, blind screenings at a semi-regular pace.” Combined community efforts like these provide sacred artistic refuge and needed community alliance to evolve against attempted institutional limiting circumstances.

Last month I also hosted an artist talk with Serving the People PHX where I was able to talk to multiple artists in the Phoenix community about what to do next and how to address all these attacks. Serving the People is a non-profit organization that hosts weekly in-person discussions, offering a space for collaboration and discourse. These meetings provide participants with community and the opportunity to connect and engage in a meaningful dialogue about their work, ideas, and experiences. Together, we strategized and connected with each other to grow our collective power. There were talks about the chilling effect, unions, and social safety nets available to artists in Arizona.

Serving the People, PHX Chapter

To Arizona decision makers trying to silence queer artists let me be clear; our stories are more relevant than ever! By actively engaging in queer censorship you not only alienate artists that are vital to your organization, you also lose out on the chance to create new exciting art in a world that desperately needs it.