Qween Jean made history as the first openly trans person to win a Tony Award, taking home Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball at Sunday night's pre-show ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.
Jean used her acceptance speech to address the room directly. "This experience has been monumental," she said. "We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We are taking up space in ways we have to take up space."
The founder of Black Trans Liberation spoke about detained queer people and the need for systemic change. "As a queer person, a leader, a mother, I will never stand quiet," she declared.
Jean continued: "The world right now is deeply, deeply combating so many ailments, and we know as a society that when we come together, we can make real, permanent change." She added that "pride is a protest."
The win marks a landmark moment for trans visibility in theatre.
