‘Gianni Versace’ Producer Says the ‘Forces of Hate Are Still With Us’

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story aimed to show viewers that a structural disregard for gay life can have violent ends. Accepting the FX show's Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film Sunday night, executive producer Brad Simpson hammered it home that the institutional bigotry depicted by the series, set in mid-'90s Miami, is not a thing of the past.

Here is Simpson's speech in full:

"Gianni Versace was murdered 20 years ago. He was one of the very few public figures who was out during a time of intense hate and fear. This was the era of 'don't ask, don't tell.' It was the Defense of Marriage Act era. Those forces of hate are still here with us. They tell us we should be scared of people who are different than us. They tell us we should put walls around ourselves. As artists we must fight back by representing those who are not represented by providing a space for people with new voices to tell stories that haven't been told. As human beings, we can resist in the streets, resist at the ballot box. and practice love and empathy in our everyday lives. Our show is a period piece, but those forces are not historical. They are here, they are with us, and we must resist."

Earlier in the night, The Assassination of Gianni Versace star Darren Criss picked up the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film for his portrayal of real-life killer Andrew Cunanan. The series was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or TV Film (Edgar Ramirez) and Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series, or TV Film (Penelope Cruz).