Showcasing the top LGBTQ plays from Egypt, Tanzania, Pakistan, and China, the Criminal Queerness Festival explores global homophobia and pride for WorldPride 2019. On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, National Queer Theater puts international queer stories on the world stage.
According to a 2017 study from OutRight International, 72 countries continue to criminalize same-sex relationships and eight countries still apply the death penalty for LGBTQ people. The Criminal Queerness Festival challenges audiences to engage and reflect upon the status of civil rights in the United States in order to better support LGBTQ people abroad.
In order to build a truly global queer community, these writers are inspiring activism and shaping our culture towards the equitable treatment of LGBTQ people around the world.
Performances:
Adam A Elsayigh’s Drowning in Cairo follows the friendships of three gay men in Egypt who were arrested in the Queen Boat nightclub raid in 2001.
Directed by Celine Rosenthal
Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko’s Waafrika explores the forbidden love between nonbinary Awino and a female Peace Corps volunteer in 90’s Kenya.
Directed by Eamon Moylan
Fatima Maan’s Jhaanjar Di Paanwaan Chhankaar tells the story of a blind man and his intriguing new next door neighbor in Pakistan.
Directed by Nicky Maggio
Chinese playwright Yilong Liu’s play Joker focuses on a Filipino gay writer and activist whose straight marriage in Hawaii is rocked by a visit from an old friend.
Directed by Gaven Trinidad
