Alan Cumming and Bowen Yang Launch Foundation for LGBTQ+ Filmmakers

A new initiative aims to bolster the presence of LGBTQ+ filmmakers in the entertainment industry. The Necessary Foundation, co-founded by Alan Cumming, Bowen Yang, Lena Waithe, and Adam Goldman, seeks to provide essential resources and opportunities to emerging artists in this community. Goldman will also serve as the executive director of the non-profit organization.

The foundation was established in response to a noticeable decline in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts among studios and entertainment companies during the second administration of former President Donald Trump. “Queer filmmakers don’t need permission, but they do need opportunity. That’s what the Necessary Foundation is building,” Yang stated. Cumming echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of the situation: “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.”

Supporting Emerging Talent

The Necessary Foundation plans to grant $20,000 annually to early-career LGBTQ+ filmmakers to help them produce a pilot, short film, or other proof-of-concept projects. In addition to financial support, the foundation will connect these filmmakers with established mentors, including notable figures such as John Cameron Mitchell, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, and Indya Moore.

Beyond grants and mentorship, the foundation will also assist by covering festival submission fees and facilitating screenings in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. The advisory board includes industry veterans such as Bruce Cohen, Andrea Lawlor, Richard Konigsburg, and Lilly Wachowski, who will guide the foundation’s efforts.

Industry Trends and Challenges

According to the most recent “Studio Responsibility Report” from GLAAD Media, among the 250 films from ten major distributors released in 2024, only 59 featured an LGBTQ character, accounting for just 23.6 percent of the total. This marks a decrease of 3.7 percent from the previous year. Alarmingly, the report also indicated that 37 percent of these LGBTQ characters appeared on screen for less than one minute.

Given the lengthy timeline from project approval to release, the outlook for LGBTQ representation appears concerning as Hollywood retracts initiatives designed to support diverse filmmakers. Nevertheless, the Necessary Foundation remains optimistic about audience demand for LGBTQ stories. For instance, the Canadian series Heated Rivalry has gained significant attention in the U.S., showcasing the potential for success in international productions centered on LGBTQ narratives.

Goldman highlighted the current political climate, stating, “There is, in this moment, enormous political pressure to delete queer people from American media, and that includes young filmmakers who are being shut out of the industry. That pressure is working. Now it’s time to push back.”

The launch of the Necessary Foundation represents a proactive step toward creating more opportunities for LGBTQ+ filmmakers, ensuring their voices are not only heard but also celebrated within the broader entertainment landscape.