Jane Fonda is a two-time Academy Award-winning actress and a former fitness guru, but she is also known for her political activism and being an advocate for civil rights.
At 82-years of age, her recent support for the LGBTQ community by defending the use of pronouns is an example of her enduring advocacy and fight against injustices.
A recently resurfaced video clip from the 1970s in which she called out gay discrimination shows that the Grace and Frankie star has always been fighting the good fight.
Twitter user @sarahsbian posted the clip of Fonda from a 1979 interview in which a reporter asked if the "gays in San Francisco" still needed support and if they are "still being discriminated against."
This is what Fonda had to say:
"Oh absolutely," replied Fonda.
She continued:
"Culturally, psychologically, economically, politically. Gays and lesbians are discriminated against."
"They are a very powerful movement, especially in San Francisco and they don't need me but they like me."
"They like our organization – the Campaign for Economic Democracy – because they know working together we can be stronger than either entity by itself."
"So it's really healthy that we try to bring these things together."
When the reporter asked if the LGBTQ group was "using" Fonda for her economic campaign, she responded affirmatively without missing a beat.
"I hope they use me. What am I here for if not to be used by good people for good things?"
"I'm part of an organization and you could also be cynical, as you are, and ask, is it the organization using me but you could also think, aren't I using the organization, just the way the gays and lesbians here are using the organization they're a part of?"
"It helps give us perspective, it helps us keep our values intact, it increases our power, because as individuals we don't have very much but all together we have a lot of power."
"So everyone uses. The point is what are you using for? If it's just for greed or selfish reasons, it's one thing but if you're using for good and positive things, why not?"
@sarahsbian Ugh what a legend— Chris Stedman (@Chris Stedman) 1599694694.0
Fonda replied:
"It's hard to predict in a real sense exactly what's going to happen."
"All we can know is that what this movement is seeking which is nothing less than respect and justice and stopping discrimination because of sexual preference."
"You're on the side of the angels so it's just and right".
@sarahsbian @fishtofu The way she sidestepped every loaded question that tried to lead her down a different, more o… https://t.co/kvcEfA3FrU— I'm not a bad slime! (@I'm not a bad slime!) 1599726131.0
@sarahsbian @fishtofu "Are they using you or are you using them?" 🙄🙄 What other reason is there to ask such a quest… https://t.co/dIjPFGdG70— I'm not a bad slime! (@I'm not a bad slime!) 1599726229.0
@sarahsbian This fellas look gave daggers every time interviewer asked a loaded question but his face when she answ… https://t.co/Vr7cPJXZx0— Kit (@Kit) 1599721842.0
"What am I here for, if not to be used by good people for good things?" I am so glad that Jane Fonda is finally g… https://t.co/ATcz4OIj5T— Julie S. Lalonde (@Julie S. Lalonde) 1599748164.0
@sarahsbian I just saw her on the daily show tonight & she said they exact same thing. Together is where our power… https://t.co/U5OJ2X52zb— Hailey Lyons (@Hailey Lyons) 1599728964.0
@sarahsbian I just fell in love with @Janefonda. She was doing the right thing back when it could have destroyed he… https://t.co/Z3J4lusVVu— Robin Strong 💫🌊✨🌊💫 (@Robin Strong 💫🌊✨🌊💫) 1599746851.0
@sarahsbian She doesn’t miss a beat. Intelligent, articulate, compassionate. An extraordinary woman who knew how to… https://t.co/0HfBB8MNyk— VHache (@VHache) 1599693990.0
The retrospective interview gained her even more admiration.
@sarahsbian I have never seen this video before. I have always liked Jane Fonda, both as an actress and as a person… https://t.co/ffnA7fIcTc— Wendee Jacobson (@Wendee Jacobson) 1599745692.0
@sarahsbian @badandstrong Such a strong ally for our community we need more people like this.— loulou#Istandwithmelissa (@loulou#Istandwithmelissa) 1599726183.0
@sarahsbian And this is why I always respected and looked up to Jane Fonda. Principled, empathetic, honest, real, and such a beauty.— Red Robin 🏳️🌈 (@Red Robin 🏳️🌈) 1599701653.0
Four decades later, Jane Fonda is showing no signs of slowing down.