Arts & Entertainment

Golden Globe nods recognize queer content, performers

Published

6 years ago

December 9, 2019

**Billy Porter** in **“Pose”** (Image courtesy FX)

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced the nominations for its 77^th annual Golden Globe Awards, and once again the list of nominees includes nods for several LGBTQ-inclusive films, actors and characters.

The honorees were announced in a Los Angeles presentation Monday morning by Tim Allen, Dakota Fanning and Susan Kelechi Watson. They were joined by Golden Globe Ambassadors Dylan and Paris Brosnan, HFPA President Lorenzo Soria, and Dick Clark Productions Executive Producer and Executive VP of television Barry Adelman.

In performance categories, several openly LGBTQ performers were nominated. Out actor Billy Porter received his second nomination in a row as Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series (Drama), for his role as Pray Tell in FX’s “Pose,” for which he won an Emmy in September. In the same category, Ben Platt was nominated for his lead role in Netflix’s “The Politician,” while the show itself was nominated for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy). Out Irish actor Andrew Scott received a nod as Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series (Comedy) for his role as “Hot Priest” in “Fleabag.” For Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), out actress Beanie Feldstein was nominated for her portrayal of high school overachiever Molly in the hilarious sleeper hit, “Booksmart.”

The performance nominations also include four LGBTQ allies playing queer characters: Taron Egerton for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for playing Elton John in “Rocketman,” Antonio Banderas for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) for Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” Margot Robbie for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture in “Bombshell,” and Jodie Comer for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series (Drama) in “Killing Eve.”

In addition to the aforementioned Best Comedy Series nod to “The Politician,” “Killing Eve” was also nominated for Best Television Series (Drama). In what was described by GLAAD as “one of the bigger snubs,” “Pose” was notably absent from the latter category. It also failed to score acting nominations for any of its leading actresses, all of whom are transgender.

In film categories, “Rocketman” received a nod as Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). The Best Foreign Language Film nominations include two queer films, the period lesbian romance “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and “Pain and Glory.”

“Rocketman,” a musical fantasy biopic of singer Elton John, also snagged a nomination for John himself in the categort of Best Original Song (Motion Picture) for “I’m Gonna Love Me Again.”

Though it does not feature explicitly LGBTQ content, Taika Waititi’s Nazi-themed anti-hate satire “Jojo Rabbit,” which strongly implies a queer relationship between two supporting characters, picked up nominations for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), as well as Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for juvenile leading actor Roman Griffin Davis.

In a statement, GLAAD’s Director of Entertainment Media Jeremy Blacklow said:

“Golden Globe nominations for LGBTQ-inclusive films including “Rocketman,”Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” and “Pain and Glory,” along with television series “The Politician” and “Killing Eve,” continue a tradition of recognizing extraordinary talent by the Hollywood Forward Press Association. Well-deserved nominations for several LGBTQ roles, as well as for out actors Billy Porter, Beanie Feldstein, Ben Platt, and Andrew Scott, provide both a reason to celebrate and a reminder for how audiences and critics alike support and applaud authentic LGBTQ storytelling.”

The 77th annual Golden Globe Awards will air live coast-to-coast on NBC from 8-11 p.m. ET (5-8 p.m. PT) on Jan. 5, 2020. Ricky Gervais will host for the fourth time.

You can read the full list of nominations here.

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Photos

PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

Published

7 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Michael Key

'Studio 69' was held at Bunker on Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week

Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.

Published

13 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Staff reports

The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.

Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026

⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Theater

National tour of ‘Gatsby’ comes to National Theatre

Out actor Edward Staudenmayer talks playing the show’s gangster

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Patrick Folliard

Edward Staudenmayer plays Meyer Wolfsheim in ‘The Great Gatsby.’ (Photo courtesy National Theatre)

‘The Great Gatsby’
May 12-24
The National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
$59-$196
Thenationaldc.com

Often dubbed “The Great American Novel” for its depiction of ambition and self-invention alongside the reversals of success, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” says it all in a fast read.

Set against the excesses and energy of the Roaring Twenties, “The Great Gatsby,” novel and now the same-titled hit Broadway musical with a jazz/pop original score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, tells the story of Nick Carraway and his friendship with Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic millionaire intent on reuniting with ex-lover, Daisy Buchanan.

It was during a four-month 2025 run in Seoul, South Korea, that out actor Edward Staudenmayer first played the show’s heavy, Meyer Wolfsheim, a gangster who helped Gatsby make his murkily acquired fortune. As Meyer, Staudenmayer opens the second act with, appropriately enough, “Shady.”

Now three months into a year-long North American tour, the show is poised to enjoy a brief run at Washington’s National Theatre (5/12-5/24).

While putting on his eyeliner prior to a recent Wednesday matinee at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, the upstate New York-based actor shared about Gatsby and a life in theater.

WASHINGTON BLADE: Despite your good looks and terrific voice, you’re rarely the leading the man. How is that?

EDWARD STAUDENMAYER: I’m definitely a character man. I’ve been painting lines on my face to play old men since I was in high school. I was the youngest freshman in college playing old Uncle Sorin [in Chekhov’s “The Seagull”].

There have been many villains. Some darker than others. Meyer Wolfsheim is a very bad guy, but he doesn’t haunt me once I’m offstage. I play a lot of pickleball.

BLADE: Is it true that like so many of Fitzgerald’s characters, Wolfsheim is famously based on someone the writer encountered in life.

STAUDENMEYER: That’s true, Wolfsheim is pretty much a direct portrayal of real-life mobster and 1919 World Series fixer [Arnold Rothstein].

BLADE: When did the 1925 novel first surface on your radar?

STAUDENMAYER: Like many of us, I was assigned “The Great Gatsby” in high school. It was short, and filled with sex and illicit activities. I thought it was great. Definitely wasn’t a Judy Blume novel.

Interestingly, the book wasn’t originally a huge a success for Fitzgerald, but because it was about war and having the girl at home, they gave it to GIs leaving for WWII. After returning, a lot of those guys went on the GI Bill and became English teachers. They assigned the book to their students.

BLADE The idea that the book’s first-person narrator, Nick Carraway, is gay and enamored with Jay Gatsby is long discussed among readers and scholars. Does the musical touch on that?

STAUDENMAYER: Yes, there’s conjecture about Jay and Nick, and it’s implied in our show. It’s also implied about Jordan Baker, Jay’s fleeting romantic interest. Ultimately, she’s a confirmed bachelor, and a professional golfer who only wears pants.

Our performers are really good. Josh Grasso who plays Nick is fantastic. I’ve had to stop watching him in his last scene; it’s not good for Meyer Wolfsheim to take his curtain call crying. Our Gatsby, Jake David Smith, is good too. He’s gorgeous like Superman and sings like an angel.

BLADE: Do you ever imagine backstory for your characters whose sexuality is undefined?

STAUDENMAYER: I do, but not with Wolfsheim. I don’t see it. I’m trying to be as butch as possible with this ruthless killer.

BLADE: Have you had to do that in your career?

STAUDENMAYER: For a long time, I wore a mask to hide my gayness. I worked hard on being believable, that I was into the girl or that I was a tough guy.

It’s a different world now, and it’s so refreshing to be around the younger actors today; they’re remarkably open and comfortable.

BLADE: What was your coming of age like?

STAUDENMAYER: I played high school football in Palm Springs [he chuckles, alluding to the arid gay mecca], and I was pretty good too. But much to the chagrin of my parents and coaches, I quit the team to act in our senior year play. My super butch dad played semi-pro football and he was an ex-cop. I’m named after him. While I didn’t become my dad, I’ve played him often on stage. He was a true Gaston [the bumptious rival in “Beauty and the Beast”]. And like Gaston, he used antlers in all his interior decorating.

BLADE: Did he live to see your success in theater?

STAUDENMAYER: He did. Life was challenging growing up but the last 10 years of his life we couldn’t get off the phone with each other [his voice catches with emotion]. He accepted me entirely, and we became very close.

BLADE: Looking ahead, is there a part you’d especially like to play?

STAUDENMAYER: Like all baritones I’d love to play Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” I’ve come close but it hasn’t happened yet. There’s still time.