Oscars 2022: Wanda Sykes slams Florida 'don't say gay' legislation in host monologue

Wanda Sykes used the final line of the Oscars opening monologue to take aim at the state of Florida for its controversial "don't say gay" bill.

Sykes, who is openly gay, delivered a gag-filled monologue alongside co-hosts Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, but concluded with a reference to the legislation.

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The bill, which passed the state senate this month and is formally known as the Parental Rights in Education Bill, would limit "classroom instruction" on "sexual orientation or gender identity".

As the monologue came to a close, Sykes said: "We're gonna have a great night tonight — and for you people in Florida, we're going to have a gay night."

Watch: Oscar Isaac responds to "don't say gay" bill

Sykes, Schumer and Hall then repeated the word "gay" over and over to enormous applause from the celebrities gathered in the audience at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

The bill has been a hot topic of discussion in Hollywood in recent weeks, with numerous Disney employees staging a walkout earlier this week in an attempt to encourage the company to speak out publicly about the bill.

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Oscar Isaac, who is about to debut in Disney+ series Moon Knight, earlier this week stated his desire for Disney to strongly oppose the legislation.

He added: "It’s an absolutely ridiculous law. It’s insane. It’s insanity. And I hope that Disney as a company comes out as forcefully as possible against this idea."

Elsewhere at the Oscars, LGBT+ actor Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's take on West Side Story.

During her acceptance speech, she said: "You see an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength and life through art. And that is, I think, what we’re here to celebrate.

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"So if anyone has ever questioned your identity, I promise you this – there is indeed a place for us."

The Oscars are being presented live from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Watch: Ariana DeBose discusses her Oscar nomination