In an NPR interview, ACLU lead counsel Vera Eidelman criticized the NEA's prohibition of funding based on 'gender ideology' as unconstitutional under the First and Fifth Amendments. Eidelman emphasized that such restrictions contradict the essence of art, which is to explore diverse human experiences. Adam Odsess-Rubin from the National Queer Theater expressed concerns that new funding requirements jeopardize their upcoming festival and threaten global artistic expression for marginalized identities. The NEA's recent controversies follow Executive Orders that restricted diversity initiatives, leading to significant backlash and legal challenges.
"This new prohibition runs directly counter to the point of the NEA, and to the point of art in general, which is to explore ideas, explore the diversity of human experience."
"It is a cruel irony that we may now be ineligible for funding because our so-called 'gender ideology' is being targeted by the U.S. government."
"These new requirements threaten the expression of not just our organization, but artists around the world whose identities have been criminalized."
Collection
[
|
...
]