ROSCOE VILLAGE — It was a big night for Chicagoans at Sunday's Golden Globe awards, with Lane Tech alum Jill Soloway picking up the trophy for best Television Comedy Series as creator of Amazon Studios' "Transparent."
"Transparent," starring Jeffrey Tambor, himself a Golden Globe winner Sunday night, is the story of a transgender parent coming out to his three children as he transitions to a woman.
Patty Wetli says the"Transparent" story is personal for Soloway:
Soloway's father, Dr. Harry Soloway, came out as transgender.
In accepting her Golden Globe, Soloway dedicated the honor to "my trans parent, my 'mapa.'"
"I want to thank you for coming out, because in doing so you made a break for freedom, you told your truth, you taught me how to tell my truth and make this show, and maybe we'll be able to teach the world something about authenticity and truth and love," she said.
The series is the first from Amazon Studios and nabbed the top comedy prize in its inaugural season.
Soloway, who graduated from Lane Tech in 1983, was part of an improv group that founded Chicago's Annoyance Theatre.
A native of Bronzeville, Soloway eventually moved to Hollywood and went on to write and produce for "Six Feet Under" and "United States of Tara." She received a directing award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival for her debut feature, "Afternoon Delight."
Other Chicago winners at Sunday night's awards: Common, for best original song, "Glory," from the film "Selma;" and Gina Rodriguez, best actress in a comedy television series for "Jane the Virgin."
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