Camryn Manheim’s Remarks at HRC Awards Event Spark Backlash Over Parenting Comments

Actress Camryn Manheim drew widespread attention over the weekend after remarks she made while presenting an award at a Human Rights Campaign event began circulating online.

Manheim spoke Saturday while presenting the Human Rights Campaign’s 2026 Ally for Equity Award to actress Marcia Gay Harden. In her remarks, Manheim described wanting a gay son and recounted efforts to encourage that outcome.

“I always wanted a gay son. I did. I love that relationship between gay sons and their mothers. I wanted to be the picket sign-holding mom who would beat the shit out of somebody for her kid. I mean, let’s just admit it, gay sons are the best. I have photos of my son in high heels, in full drag. He knows every word to every musical ever written. His fairy godfather … is with us tonight. I mean, truly, I thought I had this fucking thing locked up. But no! No! He’s the only straight guy in his musical theatre company. So, when Marcia [Gay Harden] called me about ten years ago … to tell me her son had come out to her as gay, all I said was, ‘Oh, my God, you are so fucking lucky!’ And about a week later, I was at Marcia’s house when an Amazon package was delivered for her son and inside, I’m not kidding you, was a pair of thigh-high, red patent leather boots — like kinky boots. And I thought, ‘Oh, come on, now she is just showing off, right?'”

Manheim was presenting the award to Harden, an Oscar-winning actress whose three children have each described themselves in various terms related to gender and sexuality. Harden addressed the subject in 2023, saying her children’s identities motivate her.

“What drives me is my children are all queer. My eldest child is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid. And you know, they are my kids, and they teach me every day.”

At the time of that 2023 statement, Harden’s children were 24, 19, and 19 years old.

The remarks from Manheim’s presentation have been circulating widely on social media and drew commentary from conservative outlets, including a column from Breitbart News, which characterized the comments critically. The clip and transcript of Manheim’s remarks have been shared across multiple platforms since the weekend event.