Oh, my word. What is it? You know what, now you see why Anita says, “I want to be in America,” because even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true, and that’s really a heartening thing right now. If I took the time and thanked everyone who has lifted my spirits on this stage, I would find people sitting here until the next Oscars. I’m not going there. It was the summer of my dreams, and it was a privilege and a blessing to have spent it with so many of you.
Oh, my God. Thank you, Steven Spielberg. You’re still with me. Yay. Kristie Macosko Krieger, Tony Kushner, Rita Moreno, and all of you for your divine inspiration. You are staring right now at me and I am so grateful. Your Anita opened the door for many Anitas like mine, and I am so grateful.
I’m going now to wrap it up and talk about my family. My mother, who was there tonight. Mama, I love your whole heart. This is as much yours and mine. My tribesmen, my family and my love, Sue Calamita, Jonathan, Diana, Anthony Calamita. Without each and every one, I wouldn’t be doing what I do.
Finally, picture this little girl sitting in the backseat seat of a white Ford Focus. Take a look into her eyes. You see a queer—openly queer—woman of color and Afro Latina who found her strength in life through art, and that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate. To anyone who has ever wondered about their identity, or if they find themselves living in gray spaces, I assure them that there is a place.
Source: Glamour
