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WATCH: Lena Dunham Is Glad Her Sister's A Lesbian
Accepting an award from the Point Foundation, Lena Dunham delivered a funny, powerful speech, explaining that if she can't be a lesbian, she's at least thrilled her sister is.
On Monday, the Point Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship fund that helps LGBTQ students overcome obstacles in education, honored Girls creator Lena Dunham with the Point Horizon Award — and her acceptance speech is pretty adorable.
Dunham's Girls costar Andrew Rannels presented her with the honor at the New York Public Library Monday, and she kicked off the speech with the humor she's known for. "This is probably the most attractive room I have yet to enter," said Dunham, earning several chuckles. "I don't want to traffic in stereotypes, but gay men clean up real good — which is probably why I have dated so many of you."
Dunham went on to discuss her sister, Grace, who came out at age 17, with a tenderness and humor that's quickly becoming Dunham's hallmark style. (Those are the Dunham sisters in the photo above.)
"I have always felt a strong and emotional connection to members of the LGBTQ community," said the Girls creator. "It was actually a huge disappointment for me, when I came of age and realized that I was sexually attracted to men. So when my sister came out, I thought, Thank God, someone in this family can truly represent my passion and beliefs. My sister Grace coming out as a gay woman at age 17 was a huge turning point for me in my understanding of the issues facing LGBTQ people. We were raised in an environment — the art world of downtown Manhattan — where no one hid their sexual orientation, and a common question from 4-year-old me was, 'Mom, are those ladies gay together?'
"I was always very jealous of any child who had two dads. And because of our parents' deeply held commitment to acceptance and equality, my sister's process of coming to terms with her sexuality was an angst-free as anything involving sex can really be. She was assured by the adults in her life that she was not only accepted, but adored for who she is. I am so happy that this is the way she was able to enter the world as a woman, and an LGBTQ person."
Dunham also expressed her love for her show and her work, explaining, "Our goal on Girls is to show you non-stereotypical examples of the range of people who inhabit this amazing city, and we are learning more about what that means every day."
Watch Dunham's speech below, and see the text of the her remarks on the next page. Regardless of your opinion on Dunham and Girls, it's hard not to be touched by this sweet, personal speech from a loving sister. Kudos on the honor, Lena!
Watch video below, courtesy of HeroNews.org.
Lena Dunham's remarks upon accepting the Point Horizon Award April 7, 2014:
It’s an honor to be here. This is probably the most attractive room I have yet to enter because, well, I don’t want to traffic in stereotypes but gay men clean up reeeal good. Which is probably why I have dated so many of them.
All jokes aside, I have always felt a strong and emotional connection to members of the LGBTQ community. It was actually a huge disappointment for me when I came of age and realized that I was sexually attracted to men. So when my sister came out I thought “thank God, someone in this family can truly represent my passions and beliefs.”
My sister Grace coming out as a gay woman at age seventeen was a huge turning point for me in my understanding of the issues facing LGBTQ people. We were raised in an environment, the art world of downtown Manhattan, where no one hid their sexual orientation and a common question from four year old me was “mom, are those ladies gay together?” I was always very jealous of any child who had two dads. And because of our parents deeply held commitment to acceptance and equality, my sister’s process of coming to terms with her sexuality was as angst free as anything involving sex can really be. She was assured by the adults in her life that she was not only accepted but adored for who she is. I am so happy that this is the way she was able to enter the world as a woman and an LGBTQ person.
But not everyone is so lucky. I am keenly and painfully aware that so many of you have been faced with a lack of acceptance, a lack of support, a lack of belief in your inherent right to love how and who you want to. LGBTQ students are routinely harassed and bullied, forced to abandon their dreams of an education simply to protect themselves. The drop out rate for LGBTQ students is nearly three times the national average, and these students are twice as likely as their peers not to pursue a college education. The support the Point Foundation provides is essential to making sure these unique and gifted individuals continue on their path, so they can help us see the world more clearly. So they can enact change. No one is more qualified.
I love my job. I feel insanely lucky to work with talented individuals from all walks of life, who define themselves in beautiful and unusual ways. Our goal on Girls is to show you non-stereotypical examples of the range of people who inhabit this amazing city, and we are learning more about what that means every day. This award is such a beautiful indication that we are finding our way.
So I salute you, Point scholars and graduates. I thank you, Point Foundation. I am grateful to work for HBO, a corporation that offers essential support to incredible organizations like this one. I wish you all happiness and freedom. Party on.
