A place for us': Why Ariana DeBose's Oscar win is a major victory for LGBTQ community

Wanda Sykes promised us – and therefore me, specifically – a gay Oscars show. And we certainly got a welcome gay-as-can-be moment on the Oscars stage.

Ariana DeBose capped a stunning awards season by winning the best supporting actress award for her role as Anita in "West Side Story" – becoming the first openly queer Afro-Latina to win an acting Oscar. 

"Now you see why, that Anita says, 'I want to be in America,' because even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true," DeBose said in her acceptance speech. "And that's really a heartening thing right now."

"Heartening," yes – and also quite necessary. LGBTQ people around the country are fighting for equitable treatment and opportunity not just in media, but in healthcare, politics and especially education.

More:Oscars 2022: 'CODA' wins best picture, Will Smith and Jessica Chastain take acting honors

The queer community in the U.S. is under attack. Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill – if it becomes law – would block public-school teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and allow only “age appropriate” instruction for other grades. (The legislation is now in the hands of Gov. Ron DeSantis after being passed by Florida legislators.) And it's one of many similar bills brewing around the country.

Ariana DeBose accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in "West Side Story".

 

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