A Fantastic Woman Makes Trans History at Oscars

This year's Best Foreign Film was also an LGBT milestone.

Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.

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Daniel Reynolds

March 05 2018 1:04 AM EST

March 08 2019 5:28 AM EST

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A Fantastic Woman has made LGBT history.

The production is the first film with a main transgender storyline, and starring an out transgender actress, to win at the Academy Awards. In A Fantastic Woman, Daniela Vega portrays Marina, a trans woman who faces systemic and personal discrimination after her partner unexpectedly dies.

Directed by Sebastian Lelio, A Fantastic Woman won Best Foreign Film -- the first production from Chile to earn this honor. Vega stood onstage behind Lelio as he accepted the award Sunday. During his speech, he called her the "inspiration" for the production.

Vega was also a presenter at the ceremony, again making history as the first trans actress to do so.

The triumph of A Fantastic Woman sparked an outpouring of love on social media.

\u201cDaniela Vega's presence on that stage just gave a little more hope to every transgender child around the world watching this broadcast. It can't be overstated the importance of that moment.\n\n#Oscars #AFantasticWoman\u201d
— Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1520216918

\u201cCongratulations #AFantasticWoman and #DanielaVega you were great! I feel the love lady!!!\u201d
— Candis Cayne (@Candis Cayne) 1520218374

A Fantastic Woman was not the only win for LGBT representation at the Oscars. Gay writer James Ivory won Best Adapted Screenplay for the gay romance Call Me by Your Name. At 89, Ivory is also the oldest winner in that category's history.

In addition, the directors of Coco, Darla Anderson and Adrian Molina, thanked their same-sex partners during their acceptance speech for Best Animated Feature.

Below, watch Vega and Lelio discuss empathy, representation, and art with The Advocate.