‘Cloud Atlas’ Director Speaks Out On Transgender Identity After Receiving Award [Video]
Larry Wachowski’s transformation into Lana Wachowski has made the director an inspiration and cult hero to the transgender community. The Cloud Atlas co-director accepted the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award over the weekend, and delivered a stunning speech on issues concerning the LGBT community.
Wachowski opened up about difficult moment from her childhood, cleared up rumors that her 12 year public absence had something to do with her changing gender identity, and said that family and friends have known about her transformative intentions for well over a decade.
“I knew I was going to come out but I knew when I finally did come out I didn’t want it to be about my coming out,” Wachowski said. “I am completely horrified by the ‘talk show,’ the interrogation and confession format, the weeping, the tears of the host [applause] whose sympathy underscores the inherent tragedy of my life as a transgender person. And this moment fulfilling the cathartic arc of rejection to acceptance without ever interrogating the pathology of a society that refuses to acknowledge the spectrum of gender in the exact same blind way they have refused to see a spectrum of race or sexuality.”
Wachowski’s intimate and honest speech has earned her praise across all media outlets, many calling it the breakout moment of the San Fransciso gala and the highlight of her public output on the issue thus far.
“The whole thing is terrific. What a hero,” writes a noticeably softened Gawker, who opine that the speech is “probably more moving than Cloud Atlas.”
“I was just trying to be as honest in talking about my own life and engaging with this process, which is what I’ve been doing since we decided to do press for Cloud Atlas,” Wachowski told The Hollywood Reporter after the speech. The entire transcript of the speech, including a surprisingly humorous account of a suicide note, can be found there. Otherwise, watch it below:
