RuPaul Used His Emmys 2019 Acceptance Speech to Encourage People to Register to Vote
During his acceptance for RuPaul’s Drag Race winning Best Competition Series at the 71st Annual Emmy Awards, RuPaul ended his heartfelt speech with a simple ask for everyone watching — to get up, go out, and vote in the upcoming election.
“Thanks for the academy for voting for us,” RuPaul began. “But speaking of voting, go and register to vote! Go to vote.gov — vote.gov and vote! Register! We love you so much everybody.”
It’s not the first unabashed political statement made at the Emmys so far this year — Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox walked the red carpet donning a chic but statement-making clutch purse embellished with both the trans and pride flags and "October 8th, Title XII Supreme Court" on the other side. Laverne also brought as her date ACLU staff attorney Chase Strangio, who explained the statement.
"October 8th, everyone should be aware that the administration is asking the Supreme Court to make it legal to fire workers just because they are LGBTQ,” Chase told Giuliana Rancic on the red carpet. “And this is actually going to transform the lives of LGBTQ people, and people who are not LGBTQ, anyone who departs from sex stereotypes, like all the fabulous people here, for example. So we really need to show up on October 8th, and pay attention because our lives are really on the line."
The Emmys is no doubt a celebratory evening for Hollywood, but for many of the minority actors, directors, and showrunners honored, it's a can’t-miss moment to be able to promote causes that really matter.
Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.
Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out:
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
