Oscars Hosts And Winners Take On “Don’t Say Gay”

The Associated Press reports:

At the Oscars, they said gay. The first political salvo of Sunday night’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles came in the opening monologue, when Wanda Sykes — one of the trio of hosts for the show — took a thinly veiled jab at Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

“We’re going to have a great night tonight,” said the openly gay Sykes. “And for you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night.”

She and fellow hosts Amy Schumer and Regina Hall then repeated the word “gay” multiple times, as many in the crowd such as Denzel Washington and Nicole Kidman smiled and applauded in delight.

Variety reports:

Jessica Chastain won the best actress Oscar for her performance as televangelist and queer icon Tammy Faye Bakker in the biopic “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” During her speech, Chastain addressed several issues plaguing the nation, including “discriminatory and bigoted legislation,” a nod to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

“We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us. There’s violence and hate crimes being perpetuated on innocent civilians all over the world. And in times like this, I think of Tammy and I’m inspired by her radical acts of love,” Chastain said in her speech.

NBC News reports:

Actor Ariana DeBose has made history as the first Afro Latina and first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for acting. DeBose won in the best supporting actress category for her performance reviving the iconic role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s version of “West Side Story.”

“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus. When you look into her eyes, you see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro Latina, who found her strength in life through art. And that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate,” DeBose said in her acceptance speech.

“So to anybody who’s ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us,” she added.