Celebrities Speak Out For Queer Youth at the Oscars

Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony had a number of big moments (well, one pretty major moment), though some celebrities used their time on the big stage to show their support for LGBTQ youth.

The evening’s hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall kicked it off with the conclusion of their opening monologue, where they nodded at Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill prevents teachers from mentioning LGBTQ people and topics in elementary schools, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it on Monday.

Sykes, an out lesbian, told the crowd, “We’re gonna have a great night tonight, and for you people in Florida, we’re gonna have a gay night.” The comment was met with a roar of applause, followed by Hall and Schumer joining Sykes by repeating the word “gay” over and over as the crowd continued to cheer.

“For you people in Florida, we’re gonna have a gay night.”

— Wanda Sykes takes aim at Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill in her #Oscars opening monologue. pic.twitter.com/eGOYYjU81l

— The Recount (@therecount) March 28, 2022

Ariana DeBose also became the first out LGBTQ person of color to win an acting Oscar, Best Supporting Actress, for her portrayal of Anita in the remake of West Side Story.

“Now you see why Anita says, ‘I want to be in America,'” DeBose says, referencing her character’s musical number, “because even this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true. And that’s a really heartening thing right now.”

DeBose took her chance to thank a number of family members and colleagues before relaying a positive message of representation and acceptance during her speech. She asked the audience to “imagine this little girl in the backseat of a white Ford Focus.”

“Look into her eyes, you see a queer, openly queer woman of color and Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art,” DeBose says. “And that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate. 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.”

Toward the close of the Oscars, Jessica Chastain won Best Actress for her portrayal of televangelist Tammy Faye Baker, known for being an ally to the LGBTQ community. Chastain referenced the real struggles of LGBTQ youth in her acceptance speech.

“It’s touched many families, it’s touched mine, and especially members of the LGBTQ community who oftentimes feel out of place with their peers,” Chastain says. “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.”

Chastain adds that, in times like this, Baker’s “radical acts of love” inspire her.

“For any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone,” she added, “I just want you to know that you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.”

Screenshot courtesy of The Recount on Twitter