Queer history made at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards!

The Primetime Emmy Awards have come and gone for another year. But we're pleased to announce that several LGBTQ+ shows and stars took home awards as well.

History was made with Billy Porter winning the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for his portrayal of Pray Tell in the critically-acclaimed Pose. Porter is the first openly gay man of colour to take home the award in the history of the Emmys.

"The category is love y'all, love! I am so overwhelmed and I am so overjoyed that I have lived long enough to see this day. James Baldwin said 'it took many years of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself and halfway believed, before I could walk around this earth like I had the right to be here," said the actor during his acceptance speech, "I have the right, you have the right, we all have the right. We as artists are the people that get to change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet. Please don't ever stop doing that, please don't ever stop telling the truth."

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I had a dream, a dream about you, baby. It's gonna come true, baby.......🏆 @televisionacad #emmys2019 Style by @sammyratelle for @rrrcreative Agency Grooming by @heyannabee Custom look by @michaelkors collection Custom Hat by @stephenjonesmillinery Custom Nails by @cndworld Fine Jewelry by @oscarheyman

A post shared by Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) on Sep 22, 2019 at 10:21pm PDT

While RuPaul found another reason to celebrate. After being awarded Outstanding Reality Competition Host earlier this month at the Creative Emmy Awards, Drag Race was awarded Outstanding Reality Competition Series for the second consecutive year in a row.

After thanking the Academy voters, RuPaul used his acceptance speech as an opportunity to encourage viewers to get involved in the 2020 presidential election.

"Thank you for voting for us, we love you for that – and speaking of voting and love, go and register to vote, go to vote.gov and register," he urged.

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Yas gawd! 🏆 Condragulations to the whole team of #DragRace for snatching the Emmy for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, and thank YOU for making our show the glamorous extravaganza we all love!! 🎉 #Emmys2019

A post shared by RuPaul's Drag Race (@rupaulsdragrace) on Sep 22, 2019 at 6:34pm PDT

Following RuPaul's win, Patricia Arquette made a passionate speech winning an Emmy for her performance in The Act. Remember her sister Alexi who passed away in September 2016, Arquette spoke out against transgender persecution.

"I just have to say 'I'm grateful to be working. 'I'm grateful at 50 to be getting the best parts of my life and 'that's great," said Arquette.

""But in my heart, 'I'm so sad I lost my sister Alexis and that trans people are still being persecuted,"" she continued.

"'I'm in mourning every day of my life, Alexis, and I will be for the rest of my life for you, until we change the world so trans people are not persecuted — and give them jobs. 'They're human beings, 'let's get rid of this bias we have everywhere."

Out actor Ben Whishaw scored the Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie award for his role in British drama A Very English Scandal. The three-part series told the true story of politician Jeremy Thorpe who was embroiled in a secret gay love affair during the height of his political career in the late 1960s, only to be forced to extreme lengths to make sure the truth didn't come out.

However, Fleabag was definitely the big winner of the night, taking home Outstanding Comedy Series and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for its star and creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

While there is still far to go for equal representation in both film and television, it's clear progress is being made. It's even better to see LGBTQ+ shows and its stars awarded for their achievements. We're living in exciting times!

Here is the complete list of winners for the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards

Best Comedy

Fleabag (Amazon)

Best Drama

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Best Limited Series

Chernobyl (HBO)

Best Actress, Comedy

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

Best Actor, Comedy

Bill Hader, Barry

Best Actress, Drama