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Ariana DeBose Becomes First Openly Queer Woman of Color to Win an Oscar

MAR 28 2022·Updated JAN 23 2023

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Image credit: CNN

The Facts

Ariana DeBose on Sun. became the first Afro-Latina and the first openly queer woman of colour to win an Academy Award for acting.
NBC
Debose won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's take on "West Side Story," matching co-star Rita Moreno, who became the first Latina to win an Oscar for the same role in 1962.
Newsweek
Quoting her film, DeBose stated in her acceptance speech that "for anyone that has ever questioned their identity, there is indeed a place for us," apparently referring to her experience as a queer Afro-Latina woman.
NPR
The win for DeBose, whilst being the early favorite, meant that Dame Judi Dench lost out on becoming the oldest ever winner in any acting category after playing Kenneth Branagh's grandmother in "Belfast."
CNN

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

This is a historic moment. Ariana DeBose - the first openly queer woman to even be nominated, let alone win an Oscar - has once again broken boundaries, bringing attention and pride to the LGBTQ+ community, and providing hope for others.

Vox

Narrative B

While this is undeniably a win, it also highlights the racism and discrimination still rampant in the acting industry. More must be done to tackle an implicit and systemic lack of diversity in Hollywood.