The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City was a night to remember for so many. Awards for over 35 categories were given to honor the artists and projects that provide inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. One of the most special and historic films to be honored that evening was Billy Porter’s groundbreaking and endearing rom-com Anything’s Possible.
Not only was Anything’s Possible LGBTQ icon Billy Porter’s directorial debut, but it made history in casting a Black trans woman as the lead in a coming-of-age rom com. The film follows the story of Kelsa and Khal and all the drama that comes with dating in high school. Anything’s Possible showed trans people everywhere that happy endings can happen for them too.
When Idina Menzel announced there was a tie for the Outstanding Film – Streaming or Television category, the excitement in the room was palpable. After revealing one of the fortunate and deserving winners was Amazon’s Anything’s Possible, the incredible Eva Reign took the stage to accept the award!
Reign was overcome with emotion before beginning her speech. “The title of our film is Anything’s Possible, and let me tell you, anything really is possible,” she told the ecstatic audience. “Me standing on this stage right now, a Black trans girl from St. Louis, Missouri, cast in the first film directed by Billy Porter.”
She praised GLAAD’s work and shared that “I needed to see someone like me, I needed to see that there was something more out there. Something more than the lies I was told growing up.” She then talked about how hard it was growing up in the Catholic school system where she was raised to believe that someone like her “doesn’t deserve to be here.”
“This film is a radical act of love.” She talks about how Khal’s love for Kelsa “is simple, it’s easy, it’s free. And that’s what it should be. Loving a trans person shouldn’t be shameful.”
She then spoke about the epidemic of violence taking place against her community. “Black trans women around this country are being murdered at a horrible rate.” Before saying her thank you’s, Reign stated that “We have so much work to do, and this film is the start of something new.”
To close, she thanked everyone for their work to help support trans kids and ended with a message for the community; “There is nothing wrong with you. Being trans is a great thing, it’s a magical thing.”
It was then announced that Fire Island was the other winner for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV. Read more here.