There Was A Glaring Oscars In Memoriam Omission

It is no easy feat to make sure that all the names worthy and necessary for inclusion during the Oscars In Memoriam segment occurs, but it would appear that there has been on major oversight. According to People, Patricia Arquette was disappointed to see that sister Alexis Arquette wasn't in the 2017 Oscars In Memoriam segment during Sunday evening's ceremony. Bustle has reached out to the Academy for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication. It's a slight that Patricia Arquette felt should have never been allowed to pass, according to her statement. In a wider context, it spoke to the missed opportunity for trans youth watching the Oscars to see that members of the trans community were just as worthy of being remembered.

According to Entertainment Tonight, Patricia Arquette released a statement following the 2017 Oscars on her feelings that Alexis should have been in the In Memoriam segment:

Alexis was a great actor, and had 70 credits, and was really brave to live her truth as a trans woman, and they didn’t include her in the memorial I think that was a real slight to the trans community, especially at this time when trans kids can’t even go to the bathroom in the United States of America at school. It says a lot about the lack of inclusion — trans kids can really never look at anyone and see their heroes, and I think that was a big mistake. Trans kids can really never look at anyone and see their heroes, and I think that was a big mistake.

Arquette was a longtime supporter of Alexis as well as an ally to the trans community. She has also cultivated a more noticeably politically active presence in recent years; her speech at the 2015 Oscars on gender pay equality remains an iconic Oscars moment.

Arquette makes a salient point on representation and equality in all areas of life. Alexis' exclusion from the In Memoriam segment was indeed a missed opportunity to not only honor a bright spirit but to also give her legacy real meaning. Arquette's defense of her sister may serve as a reminder to the Academy to exercise better judgement and awareness of all lives lost that deserve to be remembered in future Oscars ceremonies.