Patricia Arquette Used Her Emmy Acceptance Speech To Talk About Trans Rights
Last night Patricia Arquette took home the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for playing Dee Dee Blanchard in The Act. Based on her look for the evening, I was half expecting her to end her acceptance speech with a shout-out to the inspiration for the cult she recently joined, Her Lord and Savior Nancy Meyers. Instead, Patricia – much like her fellow blonde-haired actress Michelle Williams – turned the spotlight onto a marginalized group who could use a little extra exposure.
After reaching peak-random by accepting her award from the Game of Thrones cast, Patricia acknowledged the Gypsy to her Dee Dee, Joey King (also nominated, but did not win), as well as her fellow Outstanding Limited Series or Movie Supporting Actress nominees. She thanked Hulu, her boyfriend Eric White, and her kids. She then said she’s very grateful to be working and getting the “best parts” of her life at 51 years old, before adding that she’s “so sad” in her heart. Patricia’s sister Alexis Arquette died almost exactly three years ago. Patricia says she’s still full of grief over the loss of her sister, and she’s extremely sad that three years on, trans people “are still being persecuted.” She then called on everyone to start treating trans people with respect, and employing them.
“In my heart, I’m so sad. I lost my sister. And that trans people are still being persecuted. And I’m in mourning every day of my life, Alexis, and I will be the rest of my life for you. Until we change the world so that trans people are not persecuted. And give them jobs. They’re human beings, let’s give them jobs. Let’s get rid of this bias that we have everywhere.”
“I am in mourning every day of my life, Alexis, and I will be the rest of my life until we change the world so that trans people are not persecuted.”
Thank you Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) for showing up every day for the trans community. #Emmys 💙💗⚪ pic.twitter.com/oggCNa6qWi
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 23, 2019
Patricia is no stranger to using her time at the mic to speak out against inequality and injustice. Back at the 2015 Oscars, while accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress for Boyhood, Patricia called for women to receive equal pay in Hollywood and elsewhere. Now she’s like, “I’d make my speech about paying members of the trans community equally, but first you have to fucking hire them, so get to it, Hollywood.”
And I’m sure Alexis was touched, wherever Alexis is. Although knowing Alexis, Alexis probably had to ask for a copy of Patricia’s speech. Because Alexis was too busy rewinding the footage of Jon Hamm presenting the award for Limited Series, trying to catch a shadow outline on his tuxedo trousers. “Sorry sis! I love and miss you too, but girl – you have to understand.”
Here’s more of Patricia before and after she won her second Emmy award.
Pics: Wenn.com