Sure, Meryl Streep’s up for an Academy Awards for the 21st time, but for eight actors in the audience this is a maiden voyage. Who are Oscar’s newbie noms in the acting categories?
On Oscars nomination morning, Yance Ford made history as the first openly transgender filmmaker to have a film nominated, “Strong Island” for best documentary. It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly as a member “of the generation that took back ‘queer,'” he said.
“If my making history makes it easier for a trans kid at home somewhere to feel more at home in their skin, then I’m so excited about that,” he said. “If I can use this moment to remind folks that trans people are subject to violence at greater rates than any other group in this country, I’m happy about that. If I can help one family embrace their child and not displace them and throw them out, I’m happy about that.”
