This Kerry Washington speech about equality is a must-watch

We’re all regularly in awe of Scandal‘s Olivia Pope, but we’re also equally in awe of the actress who plays her, Kerry Washington.

Recently, Washington gave a speech at the GLAAD Awards (she won the Vanguard Award, yay Kerry!) and she gave a MOST inspiring speech full of ALL the stuff that needed to be said:

“I’m going to say some stuff and I might be preaching to the choir, but I’m going to say it. Not just for us, but because on Monday morning people are going to click a link to hear what that woman from Scandal said at that award show, and so, I think some stuff needs to be said.

Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, intersex people — we have been pitted against each other and made to feel there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of ‘other.’ As a result, we have become afraid of one another.

We compete with one another, we judge one another. Sometimes, we betray one another. Sometimes even within our own communities we designate who among us is best suited to represent us and who really shouldn’t even be invited to the party.”

She then went on to say, “When black people today tell me that they don’t believe in gay marriage… the first thing that I say is ‘please don’t let anybody try to get you to vote against your own best interest by feeding you messages of hate.’ Then I say ‘you know people used to say stuff like that about you and your love.’”

Kerry, we were already hopelessly in love with you, and after this speech we are, like, next level hopelessly in love with you. Way to wear the white hat, Washington, you are a gladiator, indeed.

Watch the entirety of this gorgeous to the moon and back speech below:

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