Queer Hollywood icons have come together to create a new resource to help support independent LGBTQ filmmakers. The Necessary Foundation was created by Alan Cumming, Bowen Yang, Lena Waithe and Adam Goldman, who will act as founding board members. The foundation will also have an advisory board consisting of Bruce Cohen, Andrea Lawlor, Richard Konigsburg and Lilly Wachowski who will help with additional support. In a statement Yang said,
“Queer filmmakers don’t need permission, but they do need opportunity. That’s what the Necessary Foundation is building. I’m so honored to be a part of supporting new artists at the starting line.”
As entertainment companies continue to reduce visibility of queer and minority characters under pressure from the Trump Administration, it has increased the difficulty for LGBTQ filmmakers to create their art. Cumming focused on why this is a problem saying,
“This really is a crisis. If we don’t act now to support young queer and trans filmmakers, LGBT+ people will disappear from American film and television screens. It’s as simple as that.”
