Stephanie Beatriz, star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the voice of Mirabel in Encanto, was recently honored by the Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival with the Fusion Achievement Award for her contributions to LGBTQ representation in media.
At the event, Beatriz discussed how proud she is of being part of the push to make Disney more inclusive.
“I understand that many people have issues with Disney, as well they should,” Beatriz said. “But one of the things that I’m really proud of is that Walt Disney Animation set this film in Colombia, with a family that was all Colombians and Latinos, and all different races, because it’s really big to show children all over the world that Latinos don’t only look one way, they look all sorts of ways.”
The openly bisexual actress also commented on the ongoing oppression LGBTQ individuals face around the world and how she wants to use her privilege to speak up.
“How can we turn our backs on people in our community that have less resources than we do to discuss this stuff openly?” Beatriz explained. “The fact that people are so terrified of each other, so xenophobic and so full of internalized hatred, that they then create legislation to keep other people from fulfilling their destinies on this planet is wild. How can I not speak up?”
Outfest also honored Killing Eve actress Sandra Oh with the James Schamus Ally Award, in recognition of her contributions to the LGBTQ community.
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