Feb. 27 (UPI) — Patricia Arquette was disappointed sister Alexis Arquette was absent from the 2017 Oscars In Memoriam reel.
The 48-year-old actress said in an interview with Vanity Fair that it was “unfortunate” her late sibling was left out of the Academy Awards tribute.
“We’re living in a time right now where trans kids can’t even go to the bathroom in schools and they’re diminished in society,” Arquette told the magazine.
“It’s really unfortunate that the Oscars decided they couldn’t show a trans person who was such an important person in this community. Because — trans kids — it could have meant a lot to them,” she added.
Alexis, born Robert Arquette, died at age 47 from complications from HIV in September. Patricia said her sister should have been included in the reel due to her work as an actress and a transgender activist.
“[She had] a great career as a male, and came out as a trans woman and lived her life in the truth,” the actress said. “Her career was cut short, not by her passing, but by her decision to live her truth and her life as a transgender woman.”
“Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical. She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people,” she added.
Alexis was known for the films “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Sometimes They Come Back… Again.” Patricia and brother David Arquette paid tribute to their sister on Twitter after the actress’ death.
“To My first best friend – Cosmic Dancer,” Patricia captioned a link to the T. Rex song “Cosmic Dancer” on Twitter.
“Thank you all for your love and kind words about Alexis. My hero for eternity,” David wrote.
