Jessica Chastain slams anti-LGBTQ+ legislation during the Oscars
Last night’s Oscars was certainly one to remember. It had everything: drama, fashion, good ol’ fashioned celebrity ribbing, but more importantly – it had a handful of actresses (Jessica Chastain, Ariana DeBose, and Wanda Sykes) use their time at the Oscars show to speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Jessica Chastain, known for her roles as Murph in Interstellar (2014) and Beverly Marsh in IT Chapter 2 (2019) won an Oscar for best actress for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, where she played Tammy Faye Bakker. During her speech, Chastain took the opportunity to speak out about some incredibly hard topics, such as suicide.
However, Chastain also took the time to address the LGBTQ+ community.
“We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us,” Chastain said. “There’s violence and hate crimes being perpetrated on innocent civilians all over the world…And for any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know that you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.”
The legislation that Chastain talked about was not specified by the actress, but considering that there has been a wave of anti-trans and anti-gay legislation in both Florida and Texas, we can assume that the slam was directed towards both the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as well as the cruel, anti-trans directive in Texas.
Wanda Sykes who, alongside Regina Hall and Amy Schumer, was hosting the Oscars, also took a jab at anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. “For you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night,” Sykes said.
And a gay night it was, all thanks to Ariana DeBose and her win of Best Supporting Actress for her role in West Side Story. She addressed the significant importance and historic meaning behind her win as the first queer woman of colour to win an Oscar. “For anyone who’s ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever, or find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you that there is indeed a place for us” (via The Hollywood Reporter).
From Jessica Chastain and Wanda Sykes to Ariana DeBose, last night’s Oscars was a major win for the LGBTQ+ community.
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