Debra Messing Will Join Women’s March ‘for the Civil Rights We Hold Dear’

Debra Messing is not one to stay silent when she spots injustices in the world. The activist actress — who will revisit her beloved role on Will & Grace for its 10-episode revival, NBC just announced (yes!) — has been an unwavering voice for LGBT equality, HIV/AIDS awareness, and Hillary Clinton, as well as a voracious anti-Trump tweeter (sparring fiercely on the topic with Susan Sarandon). So it made sense when her name appeared on the list of celebrities joining this weekend’s Women’s March on Washington. Messing spoke with Yahoo Beauty about why she believes it’s important to get out there and make some noise.

Yahoo Beauty: When did you decide to join the Women’s March and why?
Debra Messing: As soon as I heard the announcement that a march was happening, I committed myself to going. I’m definitely marching. I’ll also be at the rally. I’m marching in honor of the civil rights that we hold dear in this country — the right to reproductive freedom, the right to marry who we love, the right to remain in a family and not be separated, the right to affordable health care, social justice, civil rights, equal rights. It’s what these marches have always been about, thematically, and it is a wonderful thing to come together with people from all over the country who are trying to raise their voices and show their support for things that are so fundamental to our democracy.

You were a big Hillary Clinton supporter during the campaign. What was post–Election Day like for you?
I think it’s fair to say that Election Day was a shock. I did not anticipate it to come out the way it did, as so many other people did not, and I think immediately after, it was just … trying to make sense of where we are now. Where are we going? What does our country stand for and care about, and what are we still ready to fight for?

When did you first become an activist?
I remember marching on Washington for reproductive rights back in college, my first march, but then certainly after I lost a very close and important teacher of mine to AIDS in the early ’90s, I was galvanized to do what I can to educate to ultimately eradicate HIV/AIDS [as a global ambassador for PSI]. It’s what Hillary said: Civil rights are human rights. So whether it’s speaking out for … racial peace or making sure that a [Muslim] registry doesn’t happen, it’s the greatest gift we have in our country, the gift to speak freely. As long as I have that right, I will use it in a way that will hopefully bring good.

You have a teenage son. How has being a parent affected your commitment to activism?
Being a mother has certainly elevated my passion for it. When you have a child, every instinct is about keeping them safe, so Everytown for Gun Safety and their efforts to get common sense gun laws on the books is of paramount importance to me. After the horrible, horrible tragedy [in Newtown] it’s impossible to think about what happened in that school without putting yourself in those parents’ shoes and saying: Never again.

What are your thoughts on Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe speech — and on those who believe celebrities should stay out of politics?
I thought Meryl Streep’s speech was beautiful and selfless, honestly. She was getting an enormous honor for her artistry and her breadth of work and it was her moment, but she chose to use it to give voice to her concerns about the future of our children and our country. And I know there are loud voices that claim celebrities should just stick to acting, and my response to that is that acting is my job, I make a living acting. But I’m an American citizen first and foremost, and I should have the same rights as anyone else to speak my mind. You don’t have to listen. You don’t have to agree. But I certainly think that a dialogue is healthier and gives way more hope for our country moving in a healthy direction than just closing your ears to one another. The irony is not lost on me that many of these people who are saying celebrities and performers should just shut up and stay out of politics voted for the president-elect, who himself was an entertainer. That kind of makes me laugh.

Related: Want to Bring Your Kid to the Women’s March? Cool. Just Be Prepared.

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