The White House recently honored local Pakistani actress Fawzia Mirza, an out lesbian, as a "Champion of Change."
According to the Daily Pakistan, "the award is conferred to artists who are able to bring about a change in their respective communities through their work and bridge gaps while highlighting issues of shared interest for different societies."
Mirza lives in Chicago but her parents are from Karachi, Pakistan. She's an actor, writer and producer and has written and produced theater, web series, short films, documentaries and more.
Recently, Mirza co-wrote and starred in the film Signature Move, which was featured at Tribeca's TFI Networ" April 19-20. Signature Move is a romantic comedy and a coming-of-age feature film about a Pakistani-Muslim woman named Zaynab who falls in love with Alma, a Mexican woman with whom Zaynab connects through culture, food and wrestling. The movie's organizers recently met their $30,000 goal on Indiegogo.
The Daily Pakistan item is at en.dailypakistan.com .pk/pakistan/pakistani-canadian-fawzia-mirza-wins-champion-of-change-award/ .