‘OITNB’ actress explains why she tackled anti-gay preacher

Orange Is the New Black

actress Lea DeLaria has explained why she stood up to an anti-gay preacher during a recent journey on the New York subway.

A video showing the Big Boo actress confronting the preacher and speaking passionately in defence of the LGBT community appeared online earlier this week and quickly went viral. Watch it here.

Recalling what happened in a new interview with Page Six, DeLaria said: “I really can’t tolerate anyone who uses the name of Jesus to preach hatred. When he literally used the word ‘homo,’ I decided to get up.”

“I have no problem with people talking out loud on the subway,” she added later in the interview. “[But] I think that freedom of speech comes with responsibility. You should not, you cannot spew that kind of hatred out loud — especially in New York City, a multicultural and -religious city that we live in.”

Asked what message she hopes people will draw from the video, DeLaria replied: “You must always face evil and take it down. The reason evil thrives in the world, the reason hatred thrives in the world, the reason bullying thrives in the world is because of complacency. As long as we continue to take it, it will continue to thrive.”

Meanwhile, the ever outspoken actress and LGBT activist also said recently that “nothing makes her happier than a screaming queen” – read more here.