Numerous LGBTQ+ actors and film industry professionals have just signed a declaration urging the international film community to boycott all Israeli film institutions in protest of the risk of genocide of Palestinians. The declaration has over 1,200 signatories, including queer actors like Tilda Swinton, Cynthia Nixon, Indya Moore, Joel Kim Booster, and many others.As filmmakers, actors, film industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions, the declaration states. The worlds highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israels occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful. Standing for equality, justice, and freedom for all people is a profound moral duty that none of us can ignore. Related The Palestinian activists fighting for LGBTQ+ rights against a neverending backdrop of war In this urgent moment of crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can to address complicity in that unrelenting horror, the declaration continues. We answer the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film industry to refuse silence, racism, and dehumanization, as well as to do everything humanly possible to end complicity in their oppression.The signatories have pledged not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film festivals, cinemas, broadcasters, production companies, and other institutions that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The declaration states that it was inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, a group that refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa during the late 1980s.The LGBTQ+ signatories include gay director and screenwriter Lukas Dhont, gay actor and filmmaker Xavier Dolan, bisexual actress Hannah Einbinder, nonbinary actor Ilana Glazer, non-binary queer actor Lily Gladstone, gay actor Joel Kim Booster, lesbian actress Miriam Margolyes, transgender actress Indya Moore, queer actress Cynthia Nixon, bisexual non-binary actor Sara Ramirez, and queer actress Tilda Swinton. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Film Workers for Palestine (@filmworkers4palestine) This isnt the first time that numerous LGBTQ+ entertainers have signed a pledge of protest against Israels military actions against Palestine. In December 2023, over 330 LGBTQ+ artists pledged not to perform in Israel until a ceasefire occurs.We were devastated to witness the loss of innocent Israeli lives on October 7th, the artists public letter located atQueerArtistsForPalestine.org stated. And we have been devastated, and called to action, watching Israel carry out its assault on innocent civilians in Gaza every single day since. The artists say they wish to honor radical histories of queer activism and self-expression, which stand opposed to violent systems like apartheid and military occupation by challenging Israels pinkwashing of its brutal military occupation and policies against Palestinians.In February 2024, LGBTQ+ anti-war protestors demanded that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) end its complicity in Palestinian genocide, specifically criticizing the HRC for accepting a platinum financial sponsorship from Northrop Grumman, a weapons manufacturer that has supplied the Israeli military. The HRC issued two statements against the killing of Palestinians in late 2023.In June 2024, two pro-Palestine activists were thrown out of the White House Pride party for protesting against Israels military actions in Palestine. Democratic support of Israel caused some pro-Palestinian voters not to support Democrats in the 2024 national elections. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg received criticism earlier this summer when he spoke of wanting to work with Israels right-wing, anti-Palestinian prime minister to end the countrys ongoing targeting of Palestinians. Critics wanted Buttigieg to issue a harder denunciation of Israel and mention what specific consequences the country should face for its military actions.As of September 3, over 64,739 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis have been killed in Israels military actions against Palestine, following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli civilians launched by Hamas militants from Palestine, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Israel has been accused of deliberately targeting journalists, humanitarian aid workers, children, refugee camps, and critical infrastructure in its ongoing attacks. The U.S. president has said he wishes to clean out Gaza and establish beachfront resorts in the devastated region his comments were widely condemned as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.