The Phoenix-based Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival announced on its website and social media pages that its 2026 festival has been canceled and Desperado is on an indefinite pause. The festival, held on the campus of Paradise Valley Community College, would have marked its 17th year.We are writing with profound regret to inform you that the 17th annual Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival has been canceled, reads the statement. This decision comes in direct response to recent presidential executive orders impacting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at public institutions, including our community college district.As a publicly funded institution, we must comply with these orders. Failure to do so would jeopardize the districts federal funding, including student financial aid and grants that support over 300 positions across our campuses. The loss of such funding would create a ripple effect, significantly affecting students, faculty, staff, the community, and the educational services we provide.President Donald Trumps executive order in January, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing has prompted closures or pullback of LGBTQ+ programs across the country including Harvards removal of LGBTQ+ and students of color offices from its websites and Kent State University closure of its LGBTQ+ Center back in June. As of now, the Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival organizers are unsure if and when the festival will be back, but expresses sincere thanks to supporters and added, We look forward to the possibility of resuming the festival when conditions allow.The post Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival cancels 2026 edition, citing Trump DEI order appeared first on News Is Out.