Queer highlights from the Emmys
It was a big night for queer representation at the 74th annual Emmys which took place Monday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The White Lotus dominated the night with five wins for Best Limited Series, Directing, Writing and Best Supporting Actor and Actress for out actor Murray Bartlett and queer/ camp icon Jennifer Coolidge. Coolidge made waves during her acceptance speech by starting an impromptu dance while the producers were playing her off, proving once again why we all love her so much while Bartlett, on the other hand, made a more traditional speech, thanking his partner Max for being his “sanctuary.”
LGBTQ+ fans have glommed onto Lotus not only for the casting but for the inclusion of a number of queer storylines in the murder mystery series that follows a group of guests and staff during a ‘highly transformative’ week at an exclusive Hawaiian resort. Come for the racy sex scenes and stay for the biting social satire!
Zendaya made history as the first black woman to win Lead Actress in a Drama series twice for her role as Rue on Euphoria. At 26 years old, she’s also the youngest actress to achieve this feat. Rue, a queer drug addicted high school student has struck a nerve with viewers for her rawness. Zendaya has consistently and seemingly effortless conveyed such a wide range of emotion on the series, showcasing a talent that’s beyond her years. During her acceptance speech she poignantly said: “I want you to know that anyone who has loved a Rue or feels like they are Rue, I want you to know that I’m so grateful for your stories and I carry them with me and I carry them with her.”
Another big moment of the night came from our beloved ally Lizzo, the spokeswoman apparent for the body positivity movement, who won the Emmy for Best Competition program for her show Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. It was a notable win not only because it shattered a four-year winning streak previously held by RuPaul’s Drag Race, but also because of the subject matter of the show. The competition series followed 13 plus sized women vying to become one of Lizzo’s backup dancers. Its rare that big bodies are showcased in such a positive light and it’s great to see it recognized. The importance of the win was not lost on Lizzo who said: “When I was a little girl, all I wanted to see was me in the media – someone fat like me, Black like me, beautiful like me.”
Other notable wins of the night were Quinta Brunson for Best Writing in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary, a sitcom focused on a group of teachers, one of whom happens to be gay. Queer favorite Jean Smart won for Best Actress in a comedy for her revered role in Hacks. Out comedian Jerrod Carmichael won Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special for Rothaniel and Saturday Night Live, featuring Bowen Yang and Kate McKinnon, won the award for Variety Sketch Series.
