The 75th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony took place this past weekend in Los Angeles. This annual ceremony honors the best in artistic and technical achievement in American television programming that premiered between June 1st, 2022 and May 31st, 2023.
It was a huge weekend for celebrating LGBTQ programming like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Queer Eye, We’re Here, Only Murders in the Building, and stars like Elton John and RuPaul, who made herstory!
RuPaul not only won the award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, but also secured his reigning title as the most decorated series host in Emmy history. The RuPaul’s Drag Race host and producer has won this award 8 years in a row and is the record holder for most wins by a person of color.
While accepting the award, Ru gave a moving speech about remaining strong when times are tough. “I want to tell all these kids out here in the business, remember who you are. Do not give up. Stick with it, kiddo, and remember who you are.” He went on to say, “I’m so proud to be a part of this medium, you invited me to be a part of this. You are my family.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race also won the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality Or Competition Program.
Another big winner was HBO’s groundbreaking series The Last of Us, which won 8 awards.
The series not only features Bella Ramsey, a nonbinary lead actor with a prominent queer storyline, but also included a deeply moving special episode titled “Long, Long, Time” which told the story of an aging gay couple who found love at the end of the world. Played alongside out actor Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman won the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
Storm Reid, who played Ramsey’s love interest also won the award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Elton John’s live concert special Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which premiered on Disney+ won the awards for Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Special and Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special.
The GLAAD Media Award winning Netflix series Queer Eye, starring out stars Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Jonathan Van Ness was named Outstanding Structured Reality Program for their critically acclaimed 7th season.
The GLAAD Media Award winning HBO series We’re Here, which aims to bring drag and acceptance to small towns across the US, was awarded Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program.
HBO’s GLAAD Media Award winning series The White Lotus won big as well, with 4 awards including Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. The GLAAD Media Award nominated comedy series Only Murders in the Building was honored as Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour).
LGBTQ ally and GLAAD’s 2022 Excellence in Media honoree Judith Light won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Peacock’s Poker Face.