Kerry Washington has played a number of LGBT characters in the past, but she certainly cemented herself as an LGBT ally this year when she challenged the Black and LGBT communities to band together instead of fighting at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards. And Washington recently flexed her ally muscle in an interview when she voiced her support for LGBT youth.
In an interview with AOL Build, Washington spoke about why she feels such a strong connection to the LGBT community.
“Growing up in New York City, of course, I have a connection to the LGBT community. And being in this business, of course, I do, and I have family members – so it’s hard for me to even imagine any of us not to have a personal connection to the LGBT community,” Washington explained.
She then spoke about her time as a kid working with a peer education theater company in NY that dealt with safe sex issues and sexuality. For Washington, it helped her understand the importance of empowering youth, especially the LGBT youth to love themselves unconditionally.
“The notion that we are not enough is a lie. And I think more young people need to know that. When you have that thought that you’re not enough, that’s based on a lie. Somebody said or did something to you to make you feel like you’re not enough, and that’s not true. You are everything that you need to be,” she said. “You are exactly who you need to be.”
Kudos to Washington for continuing to show support to her LGBT fans and for spreading a message of acceptance and love in the Black community.
