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Tony-Winning Director Is Instant Icon After Reclaiming Gay Slur In Epic Clapback At Childhood Bullies
Newly-minted Tony winner Michael Arden–who just won for his direction of the musical revival of Parade–reclaimed a homophobic slur in his acceptance speech on Sunday night.
Also known as the "f-slur," the word has colloquially been used to attack men who were perceived as effeminate, or didn't fit the description of the traits stereotypically associated with masculinity.
In recent times, however, the historically anti-gay epithet has been reclaimed by some members of the LGBTQ+ community to commonly describe feminine queer men in an attempt to destigmatize it.
When he went up on stage to accept his Tony, Arden used the f-slur in his speech that mentioned being bullied when he was younger.
The Julliard School alum said:
“Growing up, I was called the f-word more times than I can count."
He then declared with pride:
“But now, I’m a f-word with a Tony.”
You can watch the moment here.
Warning: LGBTQ+ slur
\u201cMichael Arden\u2019s bleeped-out Tony Award speech is instantly iconic:\n\n"Growing up, I was called the F-word more times than I could remember. And all I can say now is I'm a faggot with a Tony!"\n\n#TonyAwards\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
In the televised broadcast, the latter part of his speech was censored.
But those attending the ceremony heard the full speech and erupted in applause.
\u201cI hear that Michael Arden said that growing he was called the F word more times than he could count, but now "I'm a faggot with a Tony!" That is what CBS, in its infinite wisdom, decided we were not allowed to hear.\u201d— Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1686530896
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse It just annoys me that it had to be blurred out \n\nBut YASSS \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\u2728\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
Among those in the audience who rose to their feet was Ben Platt, who plays Leo Frank in Parade, and Platt's fiancé Noah Galvin.
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse Panning to Ben and Noah losing their shit is everything \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd70\ud83e\udd70\ud83e\udd70\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c\u201cGrowing up I\u2019ve been called the f word more times than I could remember. And all I can say now is I\u2019m a f\u2014ggot with a Tony\u201d - Michael Arden #TonyAwards\u201d— Dave Quinn (@Dave Quinn) 1686531240
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse @redpepsi1 this makes me sooo fn happy. Watching Ben and Noah lose their minds is the best part.\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse It\u2019s Ben and Noah\u2019s reaction \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse The pan to the gays is what pride is all about\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
On social media, Arden was instantly hailed as iconic.
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse \ud83d\ude02 iconic \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse King behaviour \ud83d\udc51\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse @goldengateblond Imagine a world where we could all understand the nuance of him using the word for emotional impact to tell his incredible story instead of assuming it can only ever be used to hurt.\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse and this achievement happened during Pride Month no less.\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse It makes me so proud every day when those of us who got called homophobic insults or slurs to win nowadays in so many situations. \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse What a champ!\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
\u201c@SpencerAlthouse @GregProops \ud83c\udf89 Hurray a mighty win! \ud83c\udf89\nAnd his Tony award was given during Pride month. \nGood on Michael Arden!\u201d— Spencer Althouse (@Spencer Althouse) 1686531176
Arden also urged the queer community to "come together" and combat homophobia.
He said:
“We must battle this. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat the horrors of our history."
“And to our beautiful trans, nonbinary, queer youth, know that your queerness is what makes you beautiful and powerful."
"Everyone in this room sees you and needs you and will fight alongside you and we will win.”
The celebratory evening was highlighted by other monumental queer victories.
The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League recognized and honored the first nonbinary, gender non-conforming actors.
Glee alum Alex Newell won Best Performance by a Featured Actor in the musical Shucked, while J. Harrison Ghee won Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Some Like it Hot.
The reclamation of the f-slur may trace its origins to 2007 when activist Erin Davies toured with her Volkswagen Beetle that had been vandalized with the homophobic slur, "f*g” and the phrase, "U R Gay."
She seized an opportunity to raise awareness surrounding homophobia and LGBTQ+ rights by taking her graffitied car for a 58-day tour across the U.S. and Canada.
On her trek that was filmed for the 80-minute documentary, F*gbug, Davies interviewed 536 people–including leaders in the LGBTQ+ community–and discussed issues of intolerance and spoke out against hate crimes.