Billy Porter first openly gay black man to win Emmy for lead actor in a drama

[Lytbryt]

Wow I can't believe this is the first time good for him

 

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-09-22/emmys-pose-billy-porter-historic-win

Billy Porter, who plays the flamboyant ballroom emcee Pray Tell in FX’s “Pose,” made Emmy history Sunday night by becoming the first openly gay black man to win the lead actor in a drama category.

A newbie to the Emmy scene, the Tony- and Grammy-winning actor headed into the evening already making history with his nomination, but the win added to his golden night. (While the television academy doesn’t track such information, a review of previous nominees and winners supports the distinction.)

“The category is love, y’all,” Porter said upon accepting the award.

Later, in the press room backstage, Porter became emotional speaking about his victory: “Visibility and representation are the only things that create change. It’s when we’re visible that we have the power to create empathy through the way we tell stories,” he said. “Being black and gay and out and being in this position and speaking from where I get to speak from is the change. I hope that young queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.”

“Pose,” from Ryan Murphy and Steven Canals, explores the extravagant subculture of the LGBTQ ballroom scene in late 1980s and early 1990s New York, as well of the lives of the people of that community. Porter’s visceral portrayal of Pray Tell has been praised by critics since the show’s launch last year. The first season, for which he was nominated, saw his character reckoning with an HIV diagnosis.

Before “Pose” came along and had people taking notice of his performance — and his bold and fashionable red carpet moments — Porter made his mark on the stage. He played Teen Angel in the 1994 Broadway revival of “Grease!” and originated the role of Lola, a drag queen and cabaret performer, in Broadway’s “Kinky Boots.” He’s also released a handful of albums.
When “Pose” came along, Porter had nearly thrown in the towel on a Hollywood breakthrough.

“I wasn’t having a whole lot of luck crossing over from theater into film and TV,” Porter told The Times earlier this year. "[There was] lots of dismissal, dismissive energy surrounding what I do, what I bring, whatever. But a few years prior, I started looking at the landscape and going, ‘Well, who would get me? Who’s in the showrunning position that could get me?’ And Ryan Murphy came up and I just went — Ryan Murphy, and started typing him in my journal, started saying him in my prayers — so when the phone rang, and they said, ‘Ryan Murphy, “Pose,” and it’s set in the LGBTQ ballroom culture,’ I just started laughing.”

“I was told that who I am is never going to work,” Porter added in his press room remarks. “I was told that who and what I am is never going to be successful. Period. That’s what I was told. I did not believe them.”

Porter also addressed an awards show moment that picked up steam on Twitter — as RuPaul gave his speech after winning for realtiy-competition series for “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a camera pan caught Porter looking less than enthusiastic.“There’s never a side eye coming from me, there’s never anything negative coming from me,” Porter said. “RuPaul is a friend of mine. I am so proud of him. I stand on his shoulders. ... He paved the way for me, so there’s never a side eye about that.”

“Pose,” which has been lauded for its contribution to transgender visibility and representation on TV, received six Emmy nominations this year, including Porter’s category and drama series.

The second season of the drama wrapped its run last month on FX.

[Poof]

Tbh I'd rather be less visible than everyone think we're all drag queens

[Lytbryt]

Who thinks that I don't know anyone who thinks that?

[Chapinator_X]

Neat, I've only seen the first episode of Pose and it was decent. Wasn't sure if Billy's role got expanded in the future where he'd be the lead since he's more of a side character at that point in time.

[Poof]

9 hours ago, Lytbryt said:

Who thinks that I don't know anyone who thinks that?

Well bc of that show somebody asked me when I went to my first ball and I had no idea wtf they were talking about. Then I figured it out and theres nothing I can do about it but curse the sky over the drag queens

Plus theres a trend of queens being very disrespectful to tgirls who don't do drag and nobody who watches these shows has like any idea about it. 

Having said that I have been very good friends w/some drag queens who are reasonable ppl / not self centered circuses

[DragonSinger]

21 minutes ago, Poof said:

Well bc of that show somebody asked me when I went to my first ball and I had no idea wtf they were talking about. Then I figured it out and theres nothing I can do about it but curse the sky over the drag queens

Plus theres a trend of queens being very disrespectful to tgirls who don't do drag and nobody who watches these shows has like any idea about it. 

Having said that I have been very good friends w/some drag queens who are reasonable ppl / not self centered circuses

Is the ball scene different where you've been? Here in Georgia, it's a very inclusive space, so being asked if you go to balls is kinda common if you're into dancing and fall under any of the LGBTQ range. Pose has multiple actors who are trans playing characters who are trans. I've only seen clips because I can't watch anything serious until I finish my work, but in the scenes, the women I saw were explicitly trans and not drag queens. Maybe because it's the south, but balls here were more about folks who got blocked from the other queer spaces(PoC and people who were trans/genderqueer). That's why I really want to go to them just because they've always seemed way more relaxed. Honestly, I was surprised someone asked you if you've been to a ball because you're white. Videos of balls are one of the few times I gotta play Where's Waldo in order to find someone white in the crowd.

[Poof]

5 minutes ago, SorceressPol said:

Is the ball scene different where you've been? Here in Georgia, it's a very inclusive space, so being asked if you go to balls is kinda common if you're into dancing and fall under any of the LGBTQ range. Pose has multiple actors who are trans playing characters who are trans. I've only seen clips because I can't watch anything serious until I finish my work, but in the scenes, the women I saw were explicitly trans and not drag queens. Maybe because it's the south, but balls here were more about folks who got blocked from the other queer spaces(PoC and people who were trans/genderqueer). That's why I really want to go to them just because they've always seemed way more relaxed. Honestly, I was surprised someone asked you if you've been to a ball because you're white. Videos of balls are one of the few times I gotta play Where's Waldo in order to find someone white in the crowd.

I still have no idea what a ball is. I've never heard of them even when I still went to lgbt clubs.

[DragonSinger]

26 minutes ago, Poof said:

I still have no idea what a ball is. I've never heard of them even when I still went to lgbt clubs.

I'll add on to my other post that while the characters are trans, it is a drag ball they're performing in. That is true to history, and I just remembered why I put off this show. The second season has stuff about AIDS, and that depresses the fuck out of me no matter how well it's handled. Also, after more thought, Atlanta's balls are more about vogueing, so the balls are less drag and more just fem/masculine type of dances on a catwalk while in themed outfits/costumes.

Here are some clips: