Over the weekend, Natalie Portman was one of the many celebrities who joined thousands of people to march against inequality and sexual harassment at the Los Angeles Women’s March.
During the event, the Oscar-winning actress took to the stage, opening up about growing up as a child actor in Hollywood.
“One year ago on this stage, I was very pregnant, and we talked about the beginning of a revolution,” Portman started. “Today, my new daughter is walking, and because of you, the revolution is rolling. You told the world that time’s up on violence.”
“You told the world that time’s up on silence. You told the world that it’s time for a new day, a new locker-room culture, time to think about every person’s desires, needs, wants and pleasure.”
Speaking to the crowds of people, Portman said that an environment of “sexual terrorism” as a teenager led to her covering up her body and “inhibiting her expression and her work”.
The 36-year-old describes opening her first fan mail – at 13 years old – to find a “rape fantasy” that a man had written to her.
“I was so excited at 13 when the film was released and my work and my art would have a human response.”
“I excitedly opened my first fan mail to read a rape fantasy that a man had written me.”
“I understood very quickly even as a 13-year-old, if I were to express myself sexually, that I would feel unsafe, and that men would feel entitled to discuss and objectify my body, to my great discomfort. So I quickly adjusted my behaviour,” Portman continued.
“I built a reputation for basically being prudish, conservative, nerdy, serious in an attempt to feel that my body was safe and my voice would be listened to,” she said.
To finish Portman made a proposal: “Let’s declare loud and clear that this is what I want. This is what I need. This is what I desire. This is how you can help me achieve pleasure.”
“To people of all genders here today, let’s find a space where we mutually, consensually, look out for each other’s pleasure, and allow the vast, limitless range of desire to be expressed. Let’s make a revolution of desire.”