Ryan Murphy Plans To Give Millions To Help Elect Pro-LGBTQ Politicians

Ryan Murphy (Credit: Getty on behalf of The Trevor Project)

Out producer/director/writer Ryan Murphy announced at The Trevor Project’s annual gala on Sunday night that he is on a mission to vote out of office anti-LGBTQ lawmakers.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Janet Mock presented the Hero Award to Ryan Murphy and the cast of POSE.

Murphy accepted the award and shared, “When I was 19, in Indiana, I myself called a suicide hotline. Overwhelmed by the AIDS crisis, by the fact that I was the only ‘out’ person in my friend group, the only ‘out’ person I knew at the time, and alienated from my family, I felt profound despair. I made a call one late night in November. I made a connection, got some hope, and carried on. It’s powerful life saving work this organization does. In my roundabout way, I know this first hand.”

Murphy also told the audience he will launch a multi-million dollar initiative in 2020, “Pose Gives Back,” to target those legislators in Congress who work against the rights of LGBTQ Americans, according to Variety.

“Why don’t we consider ever targeting the people who are causing the problem here?,” the TV guru asked the crowd. “The homophobes, the trans naysayers, and the small restricted and dangerous minds who are causing so many young people to needlessly hate themselves and doubt themselves…”

Noting the results of this year’s midterm elections which saw over 20 anti-LGBTQ politicians defeated in a single night, Murphy says he felt inspired.

“We are going to send a message which says you cannot make discrimination against us a political virtue anymore,” said the 54-year-old producer of Pose and American Horror Story. “You can’t keep killing our vulnerable young people by promoting and nationalizing your rural, close-minded anti-constitutional viewpoints.”

Calling out some lawmakers by name, including Senators Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee and Congressman Steve King, Murphy said, “I want these hateful and wrong politicians to go, and to stop polluting our moral and ethical ether.”

According to Murphy, “Pose Gives Back” will provide financial support to at least 20 pro-LGBTQ candidates in 2020 in conjunction with corporate sponsors.

He ended his speech announcing a $50,000 donation to The Trevor Project.

You can watch Murphy’s acceptance speech and announcement below from The Trevor Project’s livestream below. Trans activist/writer Janet Mock introduces Murphy at the 124:00 mark.

Tune in to enjoy the official Livestream of TrevorLIVE LA 2018! Honoring Ryan Murphy and the Cast of Pose, Amandla Stenberg and AT&T. With appearances by Nico Santos, Lauren Ash and Jussie Smollett. Hosted by Eugene Lee Yang.  Presented by Revry. https://t.co/eiLHRcPf5F

— The Trevor Project (@TrevorProject) December 3, 2018

The gala evening raised over $1.5 million Sunday night for The Trevor Project's mission to help LGBTQ teens in crisis.

On a lighter note, Pose stars MJ Rodriguez and Billy Porter thrilled the gala audience with a reprise of their duet of “Home” from The Wiz. Watch below.

MJ Rodriguez and Billy Porter (Credit: Getty on behalf of The Trevor Project)

More power at #TrevorLIVE with @MjRodriguez7 and @theebillyporter pic.twitter.com/LCHNRbYaTX

— Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) December 3, 2018