Arts & Entertainment
Queer actors celebrate Golden Globe nominations
Koch, Gadd, Domingo among year’s standout performances

Awards season arrived earlier this week with the announcement of the 2025 Golden Globes, which takes place on Jan. 5, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount +. Several LGBTQ actors are over the moon to be nominated.
Trans queer actress Karla Sofía Gascón was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for the musical “Emilia Pérez,” making her the first out trans woman to be nominated for Lead Actress in a film category.
The riveting film, which tells the tale of a cartel leader who transitions to a trans woman, has received numerous Globes noms, for Best Motion Picture (musical or comedy), acting (for Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña), Jacques Audiard for Best Director (Motion Picture), Best Screenplay (Motion Picture), Best Original Score, and two nominations for Best Original Song.
“This has been an overwhelming morning,” acknowledged Gascón in a Netflix statement. “Tears filled my eyes when I heard the news. I want to thank all the members of the Golden Globes for this nomination. It’s incredible to be recognized alongside my costars. I’m so grateful to Jacques for the gift of Emilia. We couldn’t have created the world of ‘EMILIA PÉREZ’ without the amazing artistic technical team on the film. Thank you to Netflix and to all of you who support me and live with my successes as if they were yours. This nomination gives me hope for humanity.”
Bisexual actor Richard Gadd has been nominated for best television male actor in a limited series, anthology series or television motion picture for his hit Netflix series, “Baby Reindeer.”
In a prepared Netflix statement he said: “I am beyond thrilled that ‘Baby Reindeer’ has been nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Almost every year, I have watched the event, hoping that one day I might be there in the audience, sitting amongst the industry’s finest, getting roasted on an international scale. So it is a dream come true. Thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press for all they have done in championing the show.”
Gadd offered his “sincere gratitude” to Netflix for “taking a chance” on greenlighting the series, as well as Clerkenwell Films for their “enormous efforts” in producing it.
“And all the amazing cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring the best version of the series to screen, a special shout out to my incredible team who I have the joy and privilege of working with every single day too. Whatever happens on the 5th of January, I cannot think of a better way to start the year. Javier Bardem, I’m coming for a photograph!”
Gadd is up against gay stars Cooper Koch for “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and Andrew Scott for “Ripley.”
Noted Scott: “It was a true honor to bring Patricia Highsmith’s iconic literary character to life in this new way, to spar with the glorious Dakota Fanning and to work with a cast and crew of truly extraordinary talent. Thank you to the Golden Globes; I never dreamed murdering people on the Amalfi coast for a year would be recognized in this way. Grazie Mille.”
Also in the category are Colin Farrell (“The Penguin,”) Kevin Kline (“Disclaimer”), and Ewan McGregor (“A Gentleman in Moscow.”)
Gay castmate Jessica Gunning is also nominated for best supporting female actor-television.
“Wowza. Words can’t really do justice to how thrilled I am to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress alongside some of my idols as well no less! I think I might need someone to pinch me to check I’m not dreaming. Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this incredible honour, to the amazing cast and crew of Baby Reindeer, to Netflix and Clerkenwell Films, to my friends and family for all their support along the way. And a huge thanks of course to Richard, without whom none of this would even be possible. This genuinely is such an incredible honour and I can’t wait to be in LA in January… what a way to kick off 2025! Thank you.”
“Wicked’s” Cynthia Erivo was equally elated: “Now that my feet are hovering off the ground, I cannot even come close to properly expressing what this moment means to me. Not just because of this individual nomination but because I get to watch as this project and my ‘WICKED’ family is celebrated too. Being a part of this project has been a dream come true, and playing Elphaba, a woman who speaks to everyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong and lets them know they have the power to defy gravity, has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Erivo’s best performance by a female actor in a musical or comedy nomination is the fourth for her — she earned her first nominations for best drama actress and best original song for the 2020 film “Harriet.” The British actress and singer also received a nom in 2022, for best actress in a limited series nomination, portraying Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s “Genius.”
She also sent heartfelt wishes to director Jon Chu and producer Marc Platt. “Thank you for entrusting me with her. Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the entire Universal team, thank you for all of your love, care, collaboration and hard work. Jon, you and your wonderful dedication to this work, your love of cinema and storytelling and care for each one of us on your set is why we’re all experiencing this now, thank you.”
“Wicked” has several nominations, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Ariana Grande-Butera for Best Supporting Female Actor.
Addressing Grande-Butera, Erivo said: “My little sister, baby girl I love you. I’m so proud of you. You’re so deserving of this moment and I’m glad I get to share the seconds and the moments and the days and the years with you. This journey has been so unbelievably special, and I believe it is the company we have kept together that has made it as special as it has been and will continue to be. May there be many many more journeys to take both on and off screen, it is an honor to be able to hold your hand.”
Angelina Jolie is also nominated for best female actor-drama for “Maria,” the Maria Callas biopic.
“Thank you to the Golden Globes for this honor,” she said in a Netflix statement. “I am humbled to be nominated alongside so many artists I deeply admire. I share this with my director, Pablo Larrain and all who were a part of making MARIA such a rewarding experience. It’s a privilege to have played Maria Callas and to be able to share her legacy with the world.”
Nonbinary star Emma D’Arcy also received a Globe nomination for Best TV Drama Actress for her work in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.”
“I feel completely delighted. This season felt very personal to me, and at times it was hard to make, so I’m really moved by this recognition. Making a show like this is the most extraordinary team effort — I’ll be honoured to represent my colleagues at the Globes in January.”
D’Arcy’s co-nominees are Kathy Bates (“Matlock”), Maya Erskine (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”), Keira Knightley (“Black Doves”), Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”), and Anna Sawai (“Shōgun”).
Hannah Einbinder has now been nominated at the Golden Globes for all three seasons of “Hacks.”
“Getting to make ‘Hacks’ with the hardest working, most talented and lovely crew, saying words written by Paul Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello, looking into the eyes of Jean Smart and every actor on this show is a once in a lifetime, lightning in a bottle experience. I cherish this show so deeply and to be recognized for my work on it is a sincere honor.”
Luca Guadagnino is nominated for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Challengers” as well as for Best Song.
“I am so proud today to the Globes for the recognition and love for Daniel and Zendaya in both drama and comedy. I am in awe of their talent. To then share best picture and song nods with more people I love — Amy and Rachel, Trent and Atticus, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing and I am grateful.”
Other LGBTQ highlights:
“Nickel Boys” and “Moana 2” were nominated for Best Motion Picture and feature queer actors Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Auli’i Cravalho.
“The Wild Robot,” which features queer actor Stephanie Hsu, is nominated for Best Motion Picture (Animated), Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Grammy-winning country-pop star Maren Morris, who identifies as bisexual, co-wrote and performed “Kiss the Sky.”
Singer Miley Cyrus is nominated for Best Original Song for “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl.”
Both Jodie Foster and Kali Reis are nominated for “True Detective: Night Country.”
Colman Domingo is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, for “Sing Sing.”
Arts & Entertainment
‘Think of those who have not been seen,’ Cynthia Erivo’s powerful message at GLAAD Awards
Erivo and Doechii delivered powerful acceptance speeches

GLAAD celebrated its 40th anniversary with a star-studded gala in Beverly Hills, honoring achievements in LGBTQ media and entertainment, while pushing back at efforts nationwide to turn back civil rights protections, restrict and erase transgender identities.
Doechii accepted a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding music artist, Harper Steele won for outstanding documentary for Will & Harper and Nava Mau was honored with the outstanding series – limited anthology award for Baby Reindeer.
Those in attendance rose for a long and enthusiastic standing ovation as the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award was presented to Cynthia Erivo.
“It isn’t easy. None of it is, waking up and choosing to be yourself, proclaiming a space belongs to you when you don’t feel welcomed,” said Erivo.
The 38-year-old queer Oscar nominee and Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner delivered a moving acceptance speech, in which she thanked GLAAD but also called on the audience to do more to help those in the community who have not yet come out. Video of her remarks has gone viral on Instagram.
“Here in this room, we have all been the recipients of the gift that is the opportunity to be more. I doubt that it has come easy to any of us, but more, for some, the road has not been one paved with yellow bricks, but instead paved with bumps and potholes. Whichever road you have traveled, how beautiful it is that you’ve had a road to travel on at all. There are the invisible ones who have had no road at all. For those who have not
yet even begun to find the road, be encouraged and be patient with yourself, it will show itself,” Erivo said. Then she paused from reading the speech that was in the teleprompter, and ad libbed a poetic, closing message.
“We use the phrase ‘out and proud,’ and though you might not have the strength or capacity to do that now, know that I am proud of your quiet and solitary want to be just that,” she said, and then addressed the community ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility. “We are all visible. We can be seen. We see each other. I see you, you see me. But think of those who have not been seen, think of those who sit in the dark and wait their turn, hoping and waiting for a light to light their path. I ask every single one of you in this room, with the spaces that you’re in, and the lights that you hold, to point it in the direction of someone who just needs a little guidance.”
Broadway legend Patti LuPone offered guidance from queer icons, past and present, when she took the stage to recite inspiring quotes that brought the house down.
“I can no longer accept the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept,” LuPone quoted lesbian, feminist, activist Angela Davis. “Coming out is the most political thing you can do,” she said, quoting Harvey Milk.
Then LuPone cited some of the stars of Drag Race, including Valentina, Kennedy Davenport, Alyssa Edwards, Trixie Mattel, Plane Jane, and Latrice Royale. But it was the words of OG Drag Race alumna Bianca Del Rio that got the crowd on its feet: “Not today, Satan. Not today!”
“Right now, LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, but what they take from us, they take from you too,” said Brian Michael Smith, upon winning the award for outstanding drama series for 911: Lone Star. “These aren’t isolated rollbacks; they’re attacks on all of our civil rights. This kind of representation is more than visibility, it’s resistance.”
When Doechii accepted the trophy for outstanding music artist at the ceremony, the “Denial Is a River” rapper commented on this politically charged moment for the LGBTQ community, as she praised GLAAD for its principles of “acceptance, inclusiveness and empowerment.”
“Those are the same things I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward, especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened,” said Doechii. “And I am disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere.”
“These kinds of events help me to feel support, to feel like we’re a team working together to make ourselves feel more seen, make others feel more seen, and there’s so much still to celebrate,” said singer songwriter David Archuleta, the American Idol alum who made headlines in 2021 when he came out and quit the Mormon Church. On the red carpet before the gala, he shared with the Los Angeles Blade his advice to fans who want to find joy amid the gloom: “I love to go dance. Dance is so therapeutic. It’s a place where you can just shake it off, feel hot, go out, and that’s a therapeutic way.”
“This is where I find joy,” Michaela Jaé Rodriguez told the Blade. “But the best times where I find even more joy is learning what state we’re in. Learning how I can fire myself, put a fire behind me, and stay as vigilant as possible and be in the forefront and never disappear. And I want to encourage that to a lot of my young individuals out there. Don’t disappear. Stand out, be proud, and don’t be scared. I’m not scared!”
“It feels amazing, being surrounded by basically my own people is always like a big warm hug, so I love it,” Harper Steele told the Blade.
The writer, who took home a GLAAD trophy for her award-winning documentary with her friend and fellow SNL alum Will Ferrell, noted that despite the joy of the evening, she was “very sad” about political moves targeting the transgender community in Washington, D.C. as well where she grew up in Iowa.
“My own home state, who gave me trans protections and rights, just took them away,” Steele told the Blade. “We’re the first group that’s ever had those rights taken away from us, so we’re in a weird time. I’m going to keep doing the best I can to convince people that they’re wrong. Not only are they wrong, but they’re being stupid.”
The Washington Blade was nominated for its coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics Games, ”Paris Olympics: More queer athletes, more medals, more Pride, less Grindr,” in the category of outstanding print article. The winner was “‘Changing The Narrative’: Advocates Fight HIV Stigma in Dallas’ Latino Community” by Abraham Nudelstejer of The Dallas Morning News. The Advocate won for outstanding magazine overall coverage, and Jo Yurcaba of NBC Out won for “Friends Remember Nex Benedict, Oklahoma Student Who Died After School Fight, as ‘Fiery Kid.’”
The Blade also spoke to GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis on the red carpet.
Ellis and the organization survived a difficult challenge in 2024 when Ellis herself came under fire from The New York Times for what it called “lavish” spending. It should be noted that in a one-on-one conversation with Variety in October, Ellis pointed out that The Times report omitted mention of GLAAD’s multi-year campaign that called attention to the newspaper’s unbalanced coverage of issues related to transgender Americans and gender-affirming care, and that any spending issues raised by the report — seen by many as a hit piece in retaliation for GLAAD’s campaign — had already been addressed “two years ago.”
Ellis told the Blade she remains focused on GLAAD’s mission to advance acceptance of the LGBTQ community in media.
“I think tonight for me is about getting everybody together to talk about our stories, how important they are, and make sure that we are plastering the airwaves with our stories. And I think it’s about moving forward and having a plan. We have a plan at GLAAD. We understand what’s happened to this media ecosystem and we’re forging forward.”
Ellis spoke passionately about the challenge the nonprofit faces in 2025 and beyond.
“I think the media ecosystem has changed so dramatically and tectonically in a short period of time, “ she said. “We’re seeing that right-wing media gets about 100 million people a week. Progressive media reaches 30 million people a week. So, we have a 70 million person gap, and that gap is why we’re losing presidential campaigns, why we’re losing the narrative, why our community is under siege. We have to close that gap.”
Read the full list of nominees and winners of this year’s GLAAD Media Awards here.
Theater
Out actor Ángel Lozado on his new role in ‘In the Heights’
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical at Signature Theatre through May 4

‘In the Heights’
Through May 4
Signature Theatre
4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA
Tickets start at $40
Sigtheatre.org
Before his smash hit “Hamilton” transformed Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote “In the Heights,” a seminal musical set in an upper Manhattan barrio. Infused with hip-hop, rap, and pop ballads, the romance/dramedy unfolds over a lively few days in the well-known Latin neighborhood, Washington Heights.
Now playing at Signature Theatre in Arlington, “In the Heights” features handsome out actor Ángel Lozado as the show’s protagonist Usnavi de la Vega (named for a U.S. Navy vessel), a young Dominican American bodega owner who figures warmly in the center of the hood and the action.
A durable part that Lozado has wanted to play for some time, it’s proved the perfect vehicle to showcase his talents in a story that rings true to his heart.
WASHINGTON BLADE: Timing is very important to you.
ÁNGEL LOZADO: During rehearsal at Signature, our director James Vásquez said “In the Heights” finds you at a time when you need it. And that definitely resonates with me.
In the past I was up for Usnavi several times and then I was standby in the part for two weeks at the Muny in St. Louis but never called to go on.
And then, I lost my grandmother in January and was cast at Signature. In the show, the neighborhood loses their abuela [played by Rayanne Gonzales], I feel like I was meant to play the part at this moment. I’m a firm believer in the timing of it all.
BLADE: You’ve trained vocally at Florida State University, debuted on Broadway in “Bad Cinderella,” sang in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live (NBC),” and sung in many other musicals, but I’m guessing this is different?
LOZADO: Rapping is the most challenging part of the role. I’m trained in musical theater. I can sustain eight shows a week, but this is different. Rapping is more taxing. It’s challenging. With rap it’s clipped and the throat gets tighter.
BLADE: Like so much of Manhattan,Washington Heightshas changed a lot since 2008 when the show is set.
LOZADO: I currently live in Washington Heights and it’s very gentrified. Rents are high. I don’t think it was their intention to do a period piece but “In the Heights” is a period piece.
BLADE: And you grew up in Orlando, Fla., where before discovering theater, you were heavily into baseball.
LOZADO: I’m Puerto Rican, and baseball is a big part of our culture. My parents put me on a team at five, and I played first base through mid-high school. That was going to be a career. Went from one crazy career to another. When I got to high school, I was struggling with my queerness being in the sports world — struggled with my identity and the space I was in, I lost my love for baseball.
BLADE: How did you find your way to theater?
LOZADO: Through high school choir. It was a hard switch, but one that I couldn’t resist.
BLADE: You’ve been openly queer in the business. Has that ever been a problem?
LOZADO: I don’t know if it’s problematic or not. As actors, we don’t get behind the closed doors of casting. I do know that I’ve gotten to play lots of roles regionally that are straight men and that hasn’t been a problem.
Then again, I’ve cosplayed as a straight man most of my life. It makes me laugh when people see me offstage, they’re like, “Wow, you were really convincing as straight on stage.” I’ll take that compliment because that means I’m acting.
BLADE: Tell me about other roles you’ve played
LOZADO: Latin roles: Usnavi, Bernardo in “West Side Story,” Emilio Estefan in “On Your Feet!” and Che in “Evita.”And while I was thrilled to play those great parts, at the same time, I had friends getting auditions that weren’t specific to them being white, Black, or whatever. I worked with people who are more seasoned in the industry who had done 12 productions of “Evita.” I didn’t want to do that. I love representing my culture but I’d also like to do parts that have nothing to do with that. Dream roles include Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George.”
BLADE: And how about a new work? Would you like creating a role on Broadway?
LOZADO: Oh yes, that’s the big dream.
BLADE: Do you think “In the Heights” might appeal to both Latin and queer audiences?
LOSADO: Yes.To see a people show themselves in a way that’s different from the stereotypes, telling our story in our own way, and not allowing the headlines define who we are, but to stand up in our joy.
“In the Heights” holds up the Latin community and, for me, that’s a parallel to the queer community, celebrating itself, especially in the upcoming time of WorldPride DC 2025 events (May 23-June 8).
Nightlife
9:30 Club, other venues unveil blockbuster WorldPride plans
Betty Who, Bob the Drag Queen, Janelle Monáe to perform

On the heels of the announcements of Cynthia Erivo and Doechii headlining free weekend events during WorldPride June 7-8, legendary live music venue 9:30 Club and its partner locations have launched bombshell show announcements of their own, featuring D.C. fan favorites, dynamic combinations, and new artists in honor of WorldPride in Washington, D.C. The lineup features Betty Who, Bob the Drag Queen, Janelle Monáe, and many more.
I.M.P. Concerts, an independent concert promotion and production company, which operates the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, Lincoln Theatre, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and its newest venue, The Atlantis, has developed a weeklong WorldPride lineup that extends across its portfolio of venues.
Jen Hass, the 9:30 Club booking director, and Guillaume Desnoë, the creative director, told the Blade that, “as soon as we found out WorldPride was coming to D.C., we decided to go beyond normal programming. We wanted something really special for all of our venues,” they said. “We always incorporate Pride into our events, but WorldPride is another level, and we want to step it up.”
During prior years’ Pride celebrations, the 9:30 Club has hosted events and parties, including the long-running Mixtape party. This year, the shows are much more ambitious.
The week kicks off on May 31 with Snow Wife playing at The Atlantis. Then, on Thursday June 5, are two huge shows, each featuring two stars that have been central to the LGBTQ cultural experience. For a seated show at the Lincoln Theatre, Sibling Rivalry Live with Bob the Drag Queen & Monét X Change will perform, featuring their signature banter, commentary, stories, and sisterly arguments. The event is a live engagement based on their podcast of the same name. Monét X Change was Miss Congeniality on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 10 and winner of AS4, and Bob The Drag Queen was winner of season 8.
On the same night, at The Anthem, legendary performer and icon Grace Jones will be joined onstage by Janelle Monáe for a unique twosome.
On Friday night June 6, MIXTAPE is back for WorldPride Weekend, bringing the LGBTQ community together for a night of music and dancing. As usual, DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn will play a mix of house, indie dance, nu-disco, electropop, and throwbacks.
On Saturday, June 7, hometown favorite and perennial Pride stalwart Betty Who will perform a late-night set at the 9:30 Club.
“It feels like a very important time to be hitting the road, creating spaces for joy,” said Betty Who. “D.C. has such a special energy, and my history with the 9:30 Club is long and beloved. I’m really looking forward to returning home to a venue I have so many beautiful memories in to create some new ones.”
Hass notes that “it’s special to have Betty Who at 9:30 Club. She’s always been an incredible performer over the years. She’s played at both The Anthem and 9:30 Club before. Having her back is exciting because it’s full circle and shows how much she means to the queer community in DC.”
Earlier that same evening, Perfume Genius will be onstage at 9:30 Club as well.
Finally, after a week-plus-long series of shows, the list features a concluding spectacular: the Closing Drag Show, “an energetic night of drag and dance,” featuring contestants from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (the full lineup of participating Queens has not yet been released).
9:30 Club is an official WorldPride partner, having been in talks with the organizing committee for several months, all with the same goal: “to make WorldPride incredible in D.C.,” say Hass and Desnoë. Plus, $1 from each ticket will be donated to the Capital Pride Alliance in conjunction with WorldPride DC 2025.
Hass and Desnoë also noted that it was important to them to bring in various types of acts and performances, across all of their venues. “In many ways, WorldPride is special. Our list of shows is part of what we do all the time. We pay attention to and are part of the community. The 9:30 Club and IMP represent diversity, acceptance, safe space, and joy”
In addition to the published list of shows, additional acts will be announced in coming weeks.
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