‘Scandal’ star Kerry Washington calls for better LGBT representation on TV
By Will Stroude
Scandal
star Kerry Washington has called for better LGBT representation in the media, both on and off camera.
The 38-year-old – who plays White House crisis management expert Olivia Pope in the hit US drama series – used an appearance at the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday (March 21) to call for unity when it comes to the pursuit of equal rights for minorities.
“We must be allies in this business,” Washongton said as she accepted the Vanguard Award at Saturday’s event in Los Angeles, where she was honoured for being an ally to the LGBT community.
“We can’t say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity, and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each other’s existence.”
The Django Unchained actress said that though she “might be preaching to the choir”, she would carry on speaking “because on Monday morning, people are going to click a link to hear what that woman from Scandal said at that award show.”
Adding that she was often told by black people that they disagreed with equal marriage, Washington referred to historic US legislation that banned interracial marriage, explaining: “The first thing that I say is, ‘Please don’t let anybody try to get you to vote against your own best interests by feeding you messages of hate.’
“And then I say, ‘You know, people used to say stuff like that about you and your love.'”
The actress also called for “more LGBT representation in the media… more LGBT characters [and] more employment of LGBT people in front of and behind the camera.”
Scandal, which is currently airing its fourth season on ABC in the States, features a prominent gay character in the form of Cyrus Beene, the fictional administration’s first gay Chief of Staff, who is married to political journalist James Novak.
More stories:
Zoe Saldana: Dolce & Gabbana boycott ‘the stupidest thing’
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black share anniversary pics