Trailblazing Actress Karla Sofía Gascón Reacts to Trump’s Shocking Anti-Trans Order: “He Is Shameless”

In a groundbreaking moment for the film industry, Karla Sofía Gascón, the Spanish-born star of the critically acclaimed film *Emilia Pérez*, received her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress at the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards. This historic nomination makes Gascón the first openly transgender performer to be recognized in this category, following Elliot Page, who was nominated for *Juno* in 2008 before coming out as transgender.

Gascón's role in *Emilia Pérez* has drawn significant acclaim, where she portrays a powerful Mexican cartel leader who undergoes a transition and becomes an advocate for victims of gang violence. The film, helmed by the renowned director Jacques Audiard, also features fellow nominees such as Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz—who collectively earned the Best Actress award at last year’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

The actress shared her emotional response to the nomination with *The Hollywood Reporter*, revealing that she watched the announcements from an airport lounge in Brazil. “It was completely crazy, I didn’t sleep all night,” she expressed. “What an illusion, what an honor, what love. I feel fulfilled; it is the culmination of nine months of promotion and two years of work.”

Gascón emphasized the importance of being evaluated solely on the performance itself, urging Academy voters to focus on talent rather than her identity. “Now it is time to focus on my performance and put aside my ethnicity, sexuality, or hair color, to move forward in ‘integration,’” she stated passionately.

However, Gascón's rise in recognition has not come without challenges. The actress has faced a torrent of online abuse and death threats, particularly from anti-trans groups targeting her for her visibility and advocacy. Recently, far-right French politician Marion Maréchal's derogatory remarks about her nomination prompted Gascón to file a lawsuit for the “sexist insult.”

Her nomination arrives at a turbulent time for transgender rights in the United States, coinciding with President Trump’s recent executive order that restricts government recognition to only biological genders. Gascón did not hold back in her condemnation of the former President’s actions. “He is shameless,” she stated, criticizing the toxic discourse surrounding trans issues. “I hope that whatever needs to happen happens to shut everyone up, on both sides.”

An impassioned advocate for trans rights both in Spain and internationally, Gascón made headlines at the Golden Globes earlier this month, delivering a powerful message after *Emilia Pérez* won the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award. Clad in a saffron dress symbolizing her Buddhist beliefs, she declared, “The light always wins over darkness. You may try to oppress us; you may cause us harm, but you can never take away our soul or our identity.”

Reflecting on the current socio-cultural climate, Gascón voiced her concerns about the challenges facing the trans community. “We are going backwards,” she lamented. “The new generations have not experienced what the previous ones have lived through, and they are destined to repeat the same mistakes. Be cautious when empowering the intolerant, as it threatens our hard-won space for tolerance.”

With *Emilia Pérez* garnering a record 13 nominations this season, establishing it as the most nominated film not in the English language at the Oscars, Gascón aims to propel her own awards campaign amidst growing discrimination. “I want to send a message of hope to all those suffering from hatred: they can never strip away our pride in our existence. I will remain steadfast in the fight for a more equitable and just world.”

This poignant story continues to unfold, promising to shape discussions on representation, rights, and resilience as the Oscars approach.