Last night’s Oscars saw a huge win for Jamie Lee Curtis, who saw her role in Everything Everywhere all At Once win her the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
The film was the big winner of the night, taking home seven awards including Best Picture.
Speaking in the press room after her win, Curtis was asked how it felt to be one of 65 women nominated at this year’s Oscars. Using her time to bring attention to the inclusivity of the awards show, she started an important discussion within her answer.
“Surreal and proud,” she said. “And obviously I would like to see a lot more women be nominated so that there’s gender parity in all the areas and all the branches.
“And I think we’re getting there [but] we’re not anywhere near there.”
Curtis then turned her attention to the subject of gender-neutral awards categories, explaining that she approached the subject as “the mother of a trans daughter”.
She continued: “Of course, the inclusivity then involves the bigger question, which is how do you include everyone when there are binary choices?
“Which is very difficult and as the mother of a trans daughter, I completely understand that.
“And yet, to degender the category, also, I’m concerned will diminish the opportunities for more women, which is something I also have been working hard to try to promote.
“So it’s a complicated question, but I think the most important thing is inclusivity.”
“I mean basically just f***ing more women anywhere, anytime, all at once,” a statement that garnered claps from the crowd.
The actor has been an outspoken supporter of trans rights, with daughter Ruby saying in a joint interview that she hadn’t been scared to come out to her parents.
Fans online praised the actress for her speech, taking to Twitter in support.
”Mad props to her bc thats an important convo,” one fan wrote.
”She’s so mother for speaking up for the trans community very motherly yes,” said another.
”She’s such an awesome person,” praised a third.
Congrats Jamie Lee Curtis! You can see the full list of nominees and winners here.