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‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ ‘Versace’ win big for LGBT TV at Emmys

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ rack up the most awards

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RuPaul accepts the award for Outstanding Reality Competition Series (Screen capture by Joey DiGuglielmo)

The 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards honored the best in television on Monday night including a few wins for LGBT TV.

The biggest night in television kicked off with an opening dance number led by “Saturday Night Live” cast membersĀ Kate McKinnon and Kenan Thompson. The bit jokingly celebrated Hollywood finally finding a solution to its diversity problem. McKinnon and Thompson were later joined on stage by other TV stars such as “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Tituss Burgess and RuPaul.

“Saturday Night Live” continued to represent itself as the show passed on to its hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” made herstory with its win forĀ Outstanding Reality Competition Series rounding out five total wins for the show. RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ross Matthews and Carson Kressley all were on stage to accept the award.

“Thank you to the Academy. This is so lovely. We are so happy to present this show. I would like to thank, on behalf of the 140 drag queens we have released into the wild, I’d love to thank Dick Richards for introducing me to Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey,” RuPaul said in his speech.Ā  “All of the dreamers out there, listen,” he said. “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen up in here? Now let the music play.”

RuPaul also won his third consecutive award for Outstanding Host at the Creative Arts Emmys.

“The Assassination of Gianni Versace” also was honored with Ryan Murphy winningĀ Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special and Darren Criss winningĀ Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie. The show also won Outstanding Limited Series. Murphy used his speech to spotlight hate crimes against the LGBTQ community.

ā€œā€˜The Assassination of Gianni Versaceā€™ is about a lot of things, itā€™s about homophobia, internalized and externalized,ā€ Murphy said in his acceptance speech. ā€œOne of out of every four LGBTQ people in this country will be the victim of a hate crime. We dedicate this award to them, to awareness, to stricter hate crime laws, and mostly, this is for the memory of Jeff and David and Gianni and for all of those taken too soon. Thank you very much.ā€

LGBT representation continued throughout the night with lesbian comedian Hannah Gadbys, known for her critically acclaimed Netflix special “Nanette,” who presented Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. The cast of “Queer Eye” also took the stage to present as well as RuPaul and Leslie Jones, who recently became close after Jones’ “Drag Race” binge.

“Game of Thrones” was the big winner of the night taking home nine awards including Outstanding Drama Series.Ā “The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ followed close behind with eight awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and “Saturday Night Live” also won eight awards.

Other notable moments of the night were Henry Winkler’s first Emmy win in his decades-long career forĀ Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for “Barry;” an appearance from Betty White and Glenn Weiss who used his win forĀ Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special to propose to his girlfriend on stage.

The complete list of winners is below.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Brian Tyree Henry ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Louie Anderson ā€“ ā€œBasketsā€ (FX)
Kenan Thompson ā€“ ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
Tituss Burgess ā€“ ā€œUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtā€ (Netflix)
Henry Winkler ā€“ ā€œBarryā€ (HBO)Ā 
Alec Baldwin ā€“ ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
Tony Shalhoub ā€“ ā€œThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ (Amazon)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Zazie Beetz ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Laurie Metcalf ā€“ ā€œRoseanneā€ (ABC)
Leslie Jones ā€“ ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
Alex Borstein ā€“ ā€œThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ (Amazon)Ā 
Betty Gilpin ā€“ ā€œGLOWā€ (Netflix)
Aidy Bryant ā€“ ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
Kate McKinnon ā€“ ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
Megan Mullally ā€“ ā€œWill & Graceā€ (NBC)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Donald Glover ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Stefani Robinson ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Alec Berg, Bill Hader ā€“ ā€œBarryā€ (HBO
Liz Sarnoff ā€“ ā€œBarryā€ (HBO)
Alec Berg ā€“ ā€œSilicon Valleyā€ (HBO)
Amy Sherman-Palladino ā€“ ā€œThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ (Amazon)

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Donald Glover ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Hiro Murai ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Bill Hader ā€“ ā€œBarryā€ (HBO)
Mark Cendrowski ā€“ ā€œThe Big Bang Theoryā€ (CBS)
Jesse Peretz ā€“ ā€œGLOWā€ (Netflix)
Mike Judge ā€“ ā€œSilicon Valleyā€ (HBO)
Amy Sherman-Palladino ā€“ ā€œThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ (Amazon)Ā 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Pamela Adlon ā€“ ā€œBetter Thingsā€ (FX)
Lily Tomlin ā€“ ā€œGrace & Frankieā€ (Netflix)
Allison Janney ā€“ ā€œMomā€ (CBS)
Tracee Ellis Ross ā€“ ā€œBlack-ishā€ (ABC)
Issa Rae ā€“ ā€œInsecureā€ (HBO)
Rachel Brosnahan ā€“ ā€œThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselā€ (Amazon)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson ā€“ ā€œBlack-ishā€(ABC)
Ted Danson ā€“ ā€œThe Good Placeā€ (NBC)
Larry David ā€“ ā€œCurb Your Enthusiasmā€ (HBO)
Donald Glover ā€“ ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
Bill Hader ā€“ ā€œBarryā€ (HBO)
William H. Macy ā€“ ā€œShamelessā€ (Showtime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Adina Porter ā€“ ā€œAmerican Horror Story: Cultā€ (FX)
Merritt Wever ā€“ ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
Penelope Cruz ā€“ ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)
Letitia Wright ā€“ ā€œBlack Museumā€ (ā€œBlack Mirrorā€) (Netflix)
Sara Bareilles ā€“ ā€œJesus Christ Superstar Live in Concertā€ (NBC)
Judith Light ā€“ ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Jeff Daniels ā€“ ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
Ricky Martin ā€“Ā ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)
Finn Wittrock ā€“Ā ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)
John Leguizamo ā€“ ā€œWacoā€ (Paramount Network)
Brandon Victor Dixon ā€“ ā€œJesus Christ Superstar Live in Concertā€ (NBC)
Edgar Ramirez ā€“Ā ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)
Michael Stuhlbarg ā€“ ā€œThe Looming Towerā€ (Hulu)

Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus ā€“ ā€œAmerican Vandalā€ (Netflix)
Scott Frank ā€“ ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
David Nicholls ā€“ ā€œPatrick Melroseā€ (Showtime)
Tom Rob Smith ā€“ ā€œThe Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)
David Lynch, Mark Frost ā€“ ā€œTwin Peaksā€ (Showtime)
William Bridges, Charlie Brooker ā€“ ā€œUSS Callisterā€ (“Black Mirror”) (Netflix)Ā 

Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
Scott Frank ā€“ ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
David Leveaux, Alex Rudzinski ā€“ ā€œJesus Christ Superstar Live in Concertā€ (NBC)
Barry Levinson ā€“ ā€œPaternoā€ (HBO)
Edward Berger ā€“ ā€œPatrick Melroseā€ (Showtime)
Ryan Murphy ā€“ ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)Ā 
Craig Zisk ā€“ ā€œThe Looming Towerā€ (Hulu)
David Lynch ā€“ ā€œTwin Peaksā€ (Showtime)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie
Jessica Biel ā€“ ā€œThe Sinnerā€ (USA Network)
Laura Dern ā€“ ā€œThe Taleā€ (HBO)
Michelle Dockery ā€“ ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
Edie Falco ā€“ ā€œLaw & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murdersā€ (NBC)
Regina King ā€“ ā€œSeven Secondsā€ (Netflix)
Sarah Paulson ā€“ ā€œAmerican Horror Story: Cultā€ (FX)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie
Antonio Banderas ā€“ ā€œGenius: Picassoā€ (National Geographic)
Darren Criss ā€“ ā€œAssassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)Ā 
Benedict Cumberbatch ā€“ ā€œPatrick Melroseā€ (Showtime)
Jeff Daniels ā€“ ā€œThe Looming Towerā€ (Hulu)
John Legend ā€“ ā€œJesus Christ Superstar Live In Concertā€ (NBC)
Jesse Plemons ā€“ ā€œUSS Callisterā€/ā€Black Mirrorā€ (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
Melinda Taub, Samantha Bee ā€“ ā€œFull Frontal With Samantha Bee Presents: The Great American* Puerto Rico (*Itā€™s Complicated)ā€ (TBS)
John Mulaney ā€“ ā€œJohn Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio Cityā€ (Netflix)
Michelle Wolf ā€“ ā€œMichelle Wolf: Nice Ladyā€ (HBO)
Patton Oswalt ā€“ ā€œPatton Oswalt: Annihilationā€ (Netflix)
Steve Martin, Martin Short ā€“ ā€œSteve Martin & Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Lifeā€ (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Stan Lathan ā€“ ā€œDave Chappelle: Equanimityā€ (Netflix)
Michael Bonfiglio ā€“ ā€œJerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before Seinfeldā€ (Netflix)
Marcus Raboy ā€“ ā€œSteve Martin & Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Lifeā€ (Netflix)
Hamish Hamilton ā€“ ā€œSuper Bowl LII Halftime Show Starring Justin Timberlakeā€ (NBC)
Glenn Weiss ā€“ ā€œThe Oscarsā€ (ABC)Ā 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ā€“ ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
Mandy Patinkin ā€“ ā€œHomelandā€ (Showtime)
Matt Smith ā€“ ā€œThe Crownā€ (Netflix)
Peter Dinklage ā€“ ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
David Harbour ā€“ ā€œStranger Thingsā€ (Netflix)
Joseph Fiennes ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Lena Headey ā€“Ā ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
Vanessa Kirby ā€“ ā€œThe Crownā€ (Netflix)
Ann Dowd ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)
Thandie Newton ā€“ ā€œWestworldā€ (HBO)Ā 
Millie Bobby Brown ā€“ ā€œStranger Thingsā€ (Netflix)
Alexis Bledel ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)
Yvonne Strahovski ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss ā€“ ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge ā€“ ā€œKilling Eveā€ (BBC America)
The Duffer Brothers ā€“ ā€œStranger Thingsā€ (Netfix)
Joe Fields, Joe Weisberg ā€“ ā€œThe Americansā€ (FX)Ā 
Peter Morgan ā€“ ā€œThe Crownā€ (Neflix)
Bruce Miller ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Alan Taylor ā€“ ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
Jeremy Podeswa ā€“ ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)
Jason Bateman ā€“ ā€œOzarkā€ (Netflix)
Daniel Sackheim ā€“ ā€œOzarkā€ (Netflix)
The Duffer Brothers ā€“ ā€œStranger Thingsā€ (Netflix)
Stephen Daldry ā€“ ā€œThe Crownā€ (Netflix)Ā 
Kari Skogland ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman ā€“ ā€œOzarkā€ (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown ā€“ ā€œThis Is Usā€ (NBC)
Ed Harris ā€“ ā€œWestworldā€ (HBO)
Matthew Rhys ā€“ ā€œThe Americansā€ (FX)
Milo Ventimiglia ā€“ ā€œThis Is Usā€ (NBC)
Jeffrey Wright ā€“ ā€œWestworldā€ (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Claire Foy ā€“ ā€œThe Crownā€ (Netflix)Ā 

Tatiana Maslany ā€“ ā€œOrphan Blackā€ (BBC America)
Elisabeth Moss ā€“ ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)
Sandra Oh ā€“ ā€œKilling Eveā€ (BBC America)
Keri Russell ā€“ ā€œThe Americansā€ (FX)
Evan Rachel Wood ā€“ ā€œWestworldā€ (HBO)

Outstanding Reality Competition Program
ā€œAmerican Ninja Warriorā€ (NBC)
ā€œProject Runwayā€ (Lifetime)
ā€œRuPaulā€™s Drag Raceā€ (VH1)Ā 
ā€œThe Amazing Raceā€ (CBS)
ā€œThe Voiceā€ (NBC)
ā€œTop Chefā€ (Bravo)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
ā€œAt Home with Amy Sedarisā€ (TruTV)
ā€œDrunk Historyā€ (Comedy Central)
ā€œI Love You, America with Sarah Silvermanā€ (Hulu)
ā€œPortlandiaā€ (IFC)
ā€œSaturday Night Liveā€ (NBC)
ā€œThe Tracey Ullman Showā€ (HBO)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series
ā€œThe Daily Show With Trevor Noahā€ (Comedy Central)
ā€œFull Frontal With Samantha Beeā€ (TBS)
ā€œJimmy Kimmel Live!ā€ (ABC)
ā€œLast Week Tonight With John Oliverā€ (HBO)
ā€œThe Late Late Show With James Cordenā€ (CBS)
ā€œThe Late Show With Stephen Colbertā€ (CBS)

Outstanding Limited Series
ā€œGenius: Picassoā€ (National Geographic)
ā€œGodlessā€ (Netflix)
ā€œPatrick Melroseā€ (Showtime)
ā€œThe Alienistā€ (TNT)
ā€œThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Storyā€ (FX)

Outstanding Comedy Series
ā€œAtlantaā€ (FX)
ā€œBarryā€ (HBO)
ā€œBlack-ishā€ (ABC)
ā€œCurb Your Enthusiasmā€ (HBO)
ā€œGLOWā€ (Netflix)
ā€œThe Marvelous Ms. Maiselā€ (Amazon)
ā€œSilicon Valleyā€ (HBO)
ā€œUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtā€ (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series
ā€œThe Americansā€ (FX)
ā€œThe Crownā€ (Netflix)
ā€œGame of Thronesā€ (HBO)Ā 
ā€œThe Handmaidā€™s Taleā€ (Hulu)
ā€œStranger Thingsā€ (Netflix)
ā€œThis Is Usā€ (NBC)
ā€œWestworldā€ (HBO)

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Photos

PHOTOS: Gay Day at the Zoo

Smithsonian marks International Family Equality Day

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Gay Day at the Zoo (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community, SMYAL and Rainbow Families sponsored Gay Day at the Zoo on Sunday at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The Smithsonian marked International Family Equality Day with special exhibits and an event space.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Photos

PHOTOS: Taste of Point

Annual fundraiser held for LGBTQ youth scholarship, mentorship organization

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Taste of Point DC (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Point Foundation held its annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on May 2.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Theater

Miss Kitty tackles classical mythology in ā€˜Metamorphosesā€™

Folger production seen through the lens of the African diaspora

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Miss Kitty (Photo by Sarah Laughland Photography)

ā€˜Metamorphosesā€™
May 7-June 16
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu

Miss Kittyā€™s words are thoughtful and measured, occasionally punctuated by flamboyant flourishes and uplifting proclamations. Her tried and tested tagline is ā€œlive in fierce not fear.ā€Ā 

She describes herself as ā€œAMAB (assigned male at birth), nonbinary, genderqueer, transfemmeā€ as well as ā€œchanteuse, noble blacktress, and dancer.ā€ 

Currently, Miss Kitty is testing her talents in Mary Zimmermanā€™s ā€œMetamorphosesā€ at Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill. 

At 90 minutes, ā€œMetamorphoses,ā€ is made up of interwoven vignettes from classical mythology including the tales of Midas and his daughter, Alcyone and Ceyx, and Eros and Psyche. 

ā€œItā€™s all stories that relate to the human condition: the follies, the happiness, the love, the loss,ā€ Miss Kitty explains. ā€œAnd a thorough knowledge of mythology isnā€™t a requirement for enjoyment.ā€ 

The language is contemporary and with its 11-person ensemble cast ā€“ comprised exclusively of Black or indigenous people of color ā€“ theyā€™re adding their own spin to its present-day feel, she adds. 

In Zimmermanā€™s famously staged premiere production, the actors performed in and around a pool of water. At Folger, director Psalmayene 24 has ditched actual aquatics; instead, he suggests the element by introducing Water Nymph, a new character constructed around Miss Kitty. 

Water Nymph doesnā€™t speak, but sheā€™s very visible from the opening number and throughout the play on stage and popping up in unexpected places around the venue. 

ā€œItā€™s a lot of dancing; I havenā€™t danced the way Tony Thomas is choreographing me in a very long time. At 40, can she still make theater with just my body as her instrument?

The name ā€œMiss Kittyā€ was born over a decade ago. 

Miss Kitty recalls, ā€œShe was still presenting as male and going by her dead name. Someone commented that with the wig she was wearing for a part, she looked like Eartha Kitt whom she deeply admires.ā€

Her penchant for illeism (referring to oneself in third person) isnā€™t without good reason. She explains, ā€œItā€™s to reiterate that however she might look, sheā€™s always there; and if you misgender, she will let you know.ā€

Initially, the moniker was a drag persona at Capital Pride or the occasional fabulous cabaret performance at a nightclub.

But as time passed, she realized that Miss Kitty was something she couldnā€™t take off. She had always been a part of her. 

ā€œSheā€™s helped me to grow and flourish; sheā€™s given me the strength that I never would have had before. Iā€™m so proud of myself for realizing that before it was too late.ā€ 

Bringing Miss Kitty into her theatrical career presented some concerns. Would theater folks be open to the new her, especially those sheā€™d worked with before? 

Not always, but sheā€™s found new companies whoā€™ve welcomed Miss Kitty with open arms including Avant Bard, Spooky Action Theater, and now Folger. 

Last fall, Miss Kitty appeared in Spooky Actionā€™s Agreste (Drylands), a stunning queer story penned by gay Brazilian playwright Newton Moreno. 

After being invited to audition and reading the script, Miss Kitty was determined to be a part of the production. 

A work dealing with love and being trans, and transphobia, and how people can turn on a dime once they learn the truth about someone, resonated deeply with the actor. 

ā€œThe play speaks to the idea that if people just let people be who they are and love who they want to love weā€™d all be a lot happier,ā€ she says. 

For her sublime efforts, Miss Kitty nabbed a Helen Hayes Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Performer category (winner to be determined on Monday, May 20 during a ceremony at The Anthem). 

Itā€™s her first time nominated and first time attending. Sheā€™s thrilled. 

Miss Kitty grew up in Oxen Hill, Md., and now lives near Washington Harbor. Her entry into performance was through music followed by high school plays. She graduated from Catholic University with a degree in music/concentration in musical theater, and from there dove directly into showbiz. 

Looking back, Miss Kitty says, ā€œbeing a person of color AND queer can be a double whammy of difficulty. You have to live in light and do the things youā€™re afraid to do. Thatā€™s the game changer.ā€ 

Presenting ā€œMetamorphosesā€ through the lens of the African diaspora (the cast also includes Jon Hudson Odom and Billie Krishawn, among others) helps us to realize that every story can be universal, especially for marginalized people ā€” South Asian, Native American, or fully queer perspectives, she says.  

ā€œHaving an all-Black ensemble opens all new worlds for everyone.ā€

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