The 94th Academy Awards held on March 27th was a historic occasion, full of memorable wins and dazzling ensembles. At the start of the show, Oscar hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall kicked off their opening monologue with welcoming everyone, telling a few saucy jokes, and, most notably, telling the audience everywhere that they were in for a very “gay” night, referencing Florida’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” bill. And they were right! From start to finish, the night was full of beautiful LGBTQ moments.
The night started with adorable PDA moments on the arrival’s red carpet between some of our favorite LGBTQ celebrity couples (and at the multiple Oscar afterparties!) Then, throughout the awards shows, actors used their speeches to discuss issues afflicting LGBTQ youth today (like the aforementioned legislation) and voice their support for those struggling with their identity.
Many of our favorite LGBTQ stars won awards, presented awards, and looked as fabulous as can be on the arrival’s red carpet. While the outburst between Chris Rock and Will Smith may have clouded a lot of the show, it was still an amazing night full of beautiful moments. Truly, it was not a night anyone will forget.
Check out all the beautiful LGBTQ moments at the 2022 Oscars below.
Kristen Stewart & Dylan Meyer
During the red carpet arrivals, Kristen Stewart and her fiancée Dylan Meyer smooched in front of the cameras — making all of us swoon. The pair have been together since 2019 and revealed in Nov. 2021 that they were engaged.
Ariana DeBose’s Speech
When Ariana DeBose accepted her Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in West Side Story, she used her speech as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ youth. DeBose made history by becoming the first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award. She ended her speech by saying, “You see a queer, openly queer woman of color, an Afro Latina who found her strength in life through art. And that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate. Yeah, so, to anybody who has ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever, or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us. Thank you to the Academy and thank you all.”
Wanda & Alex Sykes
Oscar host Wanda Sykes and her wife Alex Sykes were all loved up on the red carpet. You can tell how proud Alex was of Wanda in the photos, and that makes our hearts happy. The Sykes-es married in Oct. 2008 during a same-sex rally in Las Vegas, a month before Wanda came out publicly as a lesbian. They are the parents of fraternal twins: Olivia and Lucas, 12.
Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, & Regina Hall Opening Monologue
Oscar hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall’s opening monologue was not one to miss. Both hilarious and poignant, the trio expressed how excited they were for the night. By the end of their speech, they acknowledged the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida regarding LGBTQIA rights, by saying everyone was in for a very “gay” night.
Elliot Page Presenting
Elliot Page, well-known trans-rights activist and trans actor, made his first post-transition appearance to wild applause at this year’s Oscars, presenting the Oscar for best original screenplay alongside his former Juno co-stars Jennifer Garner and J.K. Simmons.
Jessica Betts & Niecy Nash
Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash were all smiles while on the Oscars red carpet, packing on the PDA. While the pair have been friends since 2015, they began dating at the beginning of 2020 — marrying only seven months later.
Jessica Chastain’s Speech
When Jessica Chastain won the Best Performance by An Actress In a Leading Role for her role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, she wanted to amplify underrepresented voices in the LGBTQ+ community. During her touching speech, she said, “We’re faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country, with the only goal of further dividing us. There’s violence and hate crimes being perpetrated on innocent civilians all over the world.” She ended the speech by saying, “And for any of you out there who do, in fact, feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know that you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you.”
Ariana DeBose & Sue Makkoo
Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose and her girlfriend Sue Makkoo were on top of the world after DeBose’s history-making win. From Makkoo looking out at DeBose lovingly taking photos as seen here to a PDA-filled night at the Vanity Fair Oscars party, all eyes were on the pair (see more photos HERE, via Out). The pair have been together since 2018, after meeting on a show called Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
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