Oscars 2022 LGBTQ+ showing

No she didn't just Wanda in, Sykes was one of the hosts.

When there wasn't somewhat unnecessary displays of toxic masculinity flying around on stage, the Oscars 2022 wasn't just eventful, it was one of the most LGBTQ+ inclusive of all time with Ariana DeBose capping an incredible award season winning Best Supporting Actress for West Side Story. 

The night started off pretty gay anyway with out lesbian comedian and host Wanda Sykes saying: "We're going to have a great night tonight. And for you people in Florida, we're going to have a gay night," obviously directly mocking Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill. Sykes' fellow co-hosts Amy Schumer and Regina Hall immediately joined in, saying "gay, gay, gay" much to the amusement of Hollywood's assembled glitterati. 

Not THAT Ariana, this is Ariana Bose from West Side Story

The night belonged to Ariana however who is the first out, queer, woman of colour to win an acting Oscar and she made sure she used her time on stage wisely, saying: "Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus. Look into her eyes, you see a queer, openly queer woman of colour and Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art. And that's what I believe we're here to celebrate."

She finished up her moving speech by invoking the lyrics to the song Somewhere from West Side Story: "To anybody who has ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever or find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us."

Queer representation

Late in the evening, it was almost as if Jessica Chastain was channelling the late Tammy Faye Messner, for whom she won the Best Actress Oscar for playing in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, by addressing suicide and the anti-LGBTQ+ laws currently sweeping the US in her speech at last night's dramatic ceremony.

Jessica Chastain, once and ally always an ally.

Taking to the stage to accept the award (at LAST after 2 previous Best Actress nominations), she said: "Right now we are coming out of difficult times which have been filled with a lot of trauma and isolation. And so many people out there feel hopelessness and alone. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It's touched many families, it's touched mine, and often members of the LGBTQ+ community, who often at times feel out of place with their peers."

Jessica continued: "We're faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation, which 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 her radical acts of love." 

You can watch The Eyes of Tammy Faye AND West Side Story NOW on Disney+.