Outfest has honored LGBTQ+ storytellers and entertainers since 1982 and, like other organizations, has grown to be more inclusive over the years. This year, the Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival is shining a light on LGBTQ+ people of color who are bringing representation to new heights, including Stephanie Beatriz.
Outfest has named Beatriz and Sandra Oh as two honorees at this year’s Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Festival. Beatriz gave LGBTQ+ Latine fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine something to celebrate when her character Rosa came out as bisexual one year after Beatriz came out herself on social media.
Beatriz will receive the 2022 Fusion Achievement Award, which recognizes entertainers who have made significant strides to increase and promote representation and visibility, according to a statement. Past recipients of the award include Michaela Coel, Nisha Ganatra, Angela Robinson, Rose Troche, Wilson Cruz, Alec Mapa, Patrik-Ian Polk, Cheryl Dunye, Brickson Diamond, and Rikki Beadle-Blair.
“In order for representation to be truly meaningful, it needs to be nuanced and authentic. Through her work in Encanto, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and In The Heights, Stephanie has brought bold, original and engaging characters to life on screen whilst also proudly standing up for our community as well as immigrant rights,” Outfest Executive Director, Damien S, Navarro, said in a statement. “As a queer, immigrant, women-of-color that has openly embraced and discussed her bisexuality, she has profliterated an often misunderstood, missing or broadly stereotyped representation for what amounts to what may be one of the largest self-identified queer populations in the world. We are inspired and honored by her bravery.”
Congratulations, Stephanie Beatriz! You deserve it.