Amazon and Netflix secured three Emmy victories Sunday for Transparent and Orange Is the New Black, but the most meaningful moment for the streaming services was during Transparent creator Jill Soloway's speech for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy.
"We don't have a trans tipping point yet -- we have a trans and civil rights problem," Soloway proclaimed before urging people to help the transgender movement. "So go to TransEquality.org, and go to vote to pass the trans equality bill. Thank you."
Transgender issues are more visible than ever, and Soloway's call-to-action reaffirmed that there's much to be done in the fight for equal rights for the transgender population.
BIG: Amazon wins its 1st Emmy w/ "Transparent" #EmmysBIGGER: Creator @JillSoloway brings awareness to the Trans Equality Bill — Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) September 21, 2015
Transparent's Jeffrey Tambor, whose riveting portrayal of transgender woman Maura Pfefferman earned the win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, also used his acceptance speech to highlight the dire need for trans equality.
"I had a teacher who used to say, 'you know, when you act, you have to act as if your life depends on it,' and now, I've been given the opportunity to act because people's lives depend on it," Tambor said. "I'd like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your stories. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you for letting us be part of the change. God bless you."
I love when TV makes a difference. Grateful to @JeffreyTambor & Transparent for breaking ground and so happy for their win. #Emmys— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 21, 2015
Overall, Transparent snagged five Emmys, including three others -- for main title theme music, costumes and guest actor -- presented earlier at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
In total, streaming TV won nine Emmy awards, with three presented Sunday.
OITNB's Uzo Aduba roped in an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, for her role as Susan "Crazy Eyes" Warren.
While, Netflix's House of Cards earned three Creative Arts Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actor (Reg E. Cathey), Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Music Composition.
These wins come just two years after House of Cards became the first web-only series to win an award at any Primetime Emmys with David Fincher awarded Best Director in 2013. The series also won two Creative Arts Emmys the same year.
Other web-only entities, referred to as broadband nominees, have been nominated over the past three years, including AOL, Crackle.com, FunnyOrDie.com, History.com, NBC.com, NationalGeographic.com, AmericanExpress.com and YouTube.