Patricia Arquette Advocates for Trans Community in Emmy Acceptance Speech

It's not out of the usual for presenters and winners at awards shows to advocate for certain causes, but Patricia Arquette nearly brought the audience at the 2019 Emmy Awards to tears with her acceptance speech. After being presented with the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series by the cast of Game of Thronesfor her role in The Act, Arquette took the stage to address how joyful she was for the win while still being heartbroken over the death of her sister, Alexis.

Alexis Arquette, Patricia Arquette's trans sister, died in 2016 after a nearly 30-year battle with HIV. Patricia Arquette, still obviously deeply affected by her sister's death, had the following to say about the way the world still views the trans community:

"I just have to say I'm grateful to be working, I'm grateful at 50 to be getting the best parts of my life. And that's great," Arquette said. "But in my heart, I'm so sad I lost my sister Alexis and that trans people are still being persecuted. And I'm in mourning every day of my life, Alexis, and I will be the rest of my life for you until we change the world so that trans people are not persecuted. And give them jobs. They're human beings. Let's give them jobs. Let's get rid of this bias that we have everywhere."

See the complete Emmys 2019 winners list

Her speech got a standing ovation from several members of the audience, including Laverne Cox, who cheered and held up her pride flag clutch in support of Arquette.

The Act is now streaming on Hulu.