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Various attendees astatine the 2023 Tony Awards connected June 11 took clip to slam anti-Black and anti-LGBTQ+ laws portion onstage astatine the ceremony. While presenting the Excellence In Theatre Education award, Denee Benton specifically called out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who precocious announced his bid for president successful 2024. In her speech, she likened Ron to a Ku Klux Klan leader.
Denée Benton WENT THERE and called retired Ron DeSantis omg
“While I’m definite that the existent Grand Wizard — I’m sorry. Excuse maine — politician of my location authorities of Florida volition beryllium changing the sanction of this pursuing municipality (Planation, Florida) immediately…”#TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/vju407GzHm
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 12, 2023
“Earlier contiguous [Carnegie Melon University] and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence In Theatre Education Award,” Denee, who was presenting the grant to a pupil from Florida, said. “And portion I americium definite that the existent Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor, of my location authorities of Florida….I americium definite that helium volition beryllium changing the sanction of this pursuing municipality immediately. We were honored to contiguous this grant to the genuinely unthinkable and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young, enhancing the lives astatine students astatine South Plantation High School successful Plantation, Florida.” DeSantis has made headlines for his passing of laws similar the Don’t Say Gay measure during his clip successful office.
Meanwhile, Michael Arden besides made a almighty connection erstwhile helium took the signifier to judge the Best Director of a Musical award. His code did not notation DeSantis directly, but did instrumentality purpose astatine anyone discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community.
“Growing up, I was called the f-word much times than I tin count,” Michael said. “But present I’m a f***** with a Tony!” Marcia Gay Harden straight took a changeable astatine DeSantis’ Don’t Say Gay Bill by saying, “I’m Marcia — and nary substance what authorities we’re successful we tin ever accidental Gay — Harden,” she said.
“I americium Marcia – and nary substance what authorities we're successful we tin ever accidental Gay – Harden”#TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/fRPo2hptLC
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 12, 2023
All of these statements were met with large applause from those successful the audience, arsenic good arsenic enactment online. The remarks were besides self-written, arsenic the Tonys went connected without a penning unit this twelvemonth amidst the Writers’ Strike. Ariana DeBose besides hosted the lawsuit without writers for her script.
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