Academy Award-winning actor Marcia Gay Harden has taken a bold stand in support of the LGBTQ+ community and her queer children, amid waves of discriminatory legislation sweeping the nation.
Speaking at the Drag Isn't Dangerous telethon on Sunday, the actress spoke out against the fear-based rhetoric driving the current anti-LGBTQ+ panic.
Harden—who shares three children with her ex-husband—revealed all of her kids identify as queer, with her eldest identifying as nonbinary, her son as gay and her youngest as fluid. The actor stated her children have taught her "a lot," and it is her conviction that what is happening to the LGBTQ+ community in America right now is simply "wrong."
You can hear what she said in the video below.
Harden said:
“What drives me is because it’s right and what’s happening right now is wrong."
"What drives me is — my children are all queer. My eldest child is nonbinary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid."
"And you know, they are my kids and they teach me every day.”
She added:
“This is so fear-based and it’s spreading that kind of fear and hatred among other people. I believe this country will fight that.”
Many praised the actor for speaking out.
The Drag Isn't Dangerous telethon raised funds for GLAAD, GLSEN, Headcount, Black Queer Town Hall, The ACLU Drag Defense Fund, Trans Justice Funding Project and Victory Fund.
The event raised over $540,000 in donations with Charlize Theron—a fellow actor and parent of a transgender daughter—making a pre-taped appearance to offer her support.
Theron affirmed her love and support for the LGBTQ+ community, saying a real threat to children is gun violence "because if you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip sync for her life, it only makes you happier, it only makes you love more, it makes you a better person.”
According to the ACLU, this year alone 474 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation have been introduced in the United States.
Harden's powerful message of support and defiance against this discrimination is an important reminder of the need to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and fight against hate and bigotry in all its forms.
