Andrew Garfield dedicates Tony win to LGBTQ people ‘who have fought and died’
(Theo Wargo/Getty)
Andrew Garfield has dedicated his Tony win to the LGBT community in an emotional speech.
The British actor received the award for best lead actor in a play on Sunday for his role as Prior Walter in Angels in America.
The play, which won the Olivier Award for Best Revival earlier this year, is set during the 1980s AIDS crisis.
Andrew Garfield attends the 72nd Annual Tony Awards (Larry Busacca/Getty)
And in an emotional speech, Garfield referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling last week in favour of Colorado’s Masterpiece Cakeshop, which refused to serve a gay couple after it found out the order was for a wedding cake.
He told the audience: “We all belong, so let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked.”
“We all belong,” he continued.
Andrew Garfield, winner of the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Angels in America (ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty)
“So I dedicate this award to the countless LGBTQ people who have fought and died to protect that spirit, to protect that message for the right to live and love as we are created to.”
Also last night, the 34-year-old spoke about what an honour it was to play the part of an openly gay man – and Walter in particular.
“At a moment in time where maybe the most important thing that we remember right now is the sanctity of the human spirit, it is the profound privilege of my life to play Prior Walter in Angels in America because he represents the purest spirit of humanity, and especially that of the LGBTQ community,” Garfield said.
Andrew Garfield accepts the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Angels in America (Theo Wargo/Getty)
“It is a spirit that says no to oppression. It is a spirit that says no to bigotry, no to shame, no to exclusion.
“It is a spirit that says we are all made perfectly.”
The Amazing Spider-Man actor also paid tribute to the “incredible company” of the play which gave him a first Tony Award.
“You are all geniuses in your own right,” said Garfield.
Andrew Garfield and Jordan Roth attend the 72nd Annual Tony Awards (Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
“I bow to you so deeply. You inspire me every day.”
The actor sparked controversy last year when he said he was “a gay man right now just without the physical act”.
In the same week, Garfield also said he wouldn’t rule out having a relationship with a man in the future.
In February, he revealed he was open to gay sex, saying: “Up until this point, I’ve only been sexually attracted to women.
Andrew Garfield speaks at the ‘Breathe’ press conference (Alexander Koerner/Getty)
“My stance towards life, though, is that I always try to surrender to the mystery of not being in charge.
“I think most people – we’re intrinsically trying to control our experience here, and manage it, and put walls around what we are and who we are,” he continued.
“I want to know as much of the garden as possible before I pass – I have an openness to any impulses that may arise within me at any time.”
Watch Garfield speak at the Tonys here:
Andrew Garfield blasts the Supreme Court’s same-sex wedding cake ruling: “The new generation is diverse as hell. And it’s not something to be afraid of. It’s a f—ing party.” (Watch) #AngelsInAmerica #TonyAwards https://t.co/LamF9oUrrv pic.twitter.com/yliTGlTK3V
— Variety (@Variety) June 10, 2018
