The Queer Community Scores Big at the Emmys
Addison Herron-Wheeler is OUT FRONT's co-publisher and editor-in-chief and friend…
Despite the state of politics in America, entertainment and the media are becoming even more queer-inclusive, and the Emmys this weekend reflected that perfectly.
According to New Now Next, Kate McKinnon, the queer hearthrob who has been steeling lady’s hearts in feminist films like Rough Night and Ghostbusters, took home an Emmy for her work on Saturday Night Live. She thanked Hillary Clinton, one of the women she plays on the show, in her speech, and generally didn’t make a secret of being queer and progressive.
Next up, Lena Waithe, the queer commedian who portrays a lesbian on Aziz Ansari’s Master of None, won an Emmy for her writing on an episode of the show that deals with coming out. This made her the first black woman to win an award for writing in a comedy series, another major hurdle for diversity and inclusion at the Emmys. She thanked her “chosen” queer family in her acceptance speech.
The tearjerking, queer episode of Black Mirror, “San Junipero,” was next up to take home two Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Made for Television Movie. If you haven’t already seen this one, we won’t provide any more spoilers than telling you it’s a lesbian story. Check it out, and have tissues ready.
While many are upset that RuPaul’s Drag Race didn’t take first place in the Oustanding Reality Competition Series, Ru still showed up in full drag as an Emmy herself, and did an interview with Stephen Colbert before the show.
Below is a complete list of Emmy wins, many of which went to shows with queer themes, feminists, and queer allies.
Outstanding Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown-This Is Us
Outstanding Limited Series
Big Little Lies
Outstanding Television Movie
Black Mirror: San Junipero
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Nicole Kidman-Big Little Lies
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Riz Ahmed-The Night Of
Outstanding Comedy Series
Veep
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus-Veep
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Atlanta
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Black Mirror: San Junipero
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, TV Movie or Special
The Handmaid’s Tale
Outstanding Reality-Competition Series
The Voice
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Aziz Ansari
Lena Waithe
Master of None
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Ann Dowd-The Handmaid’s Tale
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Alexander Skarsgård
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
Jean-Marc Vallée-Big Little Lies
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin-Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale
Offred (Pilot)
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Donald Glover-Atlanta
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Laura Dern – Big Little Lies
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
John Lithgow – The Crown
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Addison Herron-Wheeler is OUT FRONT's co-publisher and editor-in-chief and friend to dogs everywhere. She enjoys long walks in the darkness away from any sources of sunlight, rainy days, and painfully dry comedy. She also covers cannabis and heavy metal, and is author of Wicked Woman: Women in Metal from the 1960s to Now and Respirator, a short story collection.