Pose star Dominique Jackson has been honoured by American Human Rights Campaign (HRC) group for her work as an LGBTIQ+ and trans advocate.
HRC president Alphonso David said in, Jackson's "onscreen poise and offscreen passion have cemented her place as a fierce leader in the LGBTIQ+ rights movement, and we are looking forward to presenting her with the National Equality Award.”
Introducing Jackson at the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Pose co-star Dyllón Burnside said: “Of course she’s strong, confident, beautiful. But what I love most is she’s wise, she’s loving, she’s generous.”
Taking to the stage to accept her award, Jackson delivered a blistering speech highlighting the ongoing persecution faced by trans women of colour.
“My loves, as a trans women of colour, we face violence, we face brutality, we face so much,” Jackson told the audience.
“It’s about love. And we talk about love, but we forget about humanity. I am a human being. I am a human being just like each and every one of you.”
She added: “It is about us understanding and respecting humanity. It is time that we stop looking into each other’s bedrooms.”
“I will never, ever ask any of you for respect,” Jackson concluded. “I will demand it. You will not tell me that you accept me. You will not tell me that you tolerate me. That is not your power. I take that from you. You will respect me for who I am.”
Jackson has been open about her mental health struggles in the past, in an autobiography titled The Transsexual from Tobago.
