Another Queer Night at the 2023 Tony Awards

In this Pride Month of 2023, marking another milestone seems just as important as continuing the ongoing struggle for full inclusion and equity for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

While there have been queer winners throughout the history of the Tony Awards, this year added another step in the inclusion journey. The event was hosted by Ariana DeBose, who identifies as queer and Afro Latina. DeBose opened the show musically, then informed the audience that there was no script for this year’s Tony Awards. Broadway stood in solidarity with striking writers of the WGA (Writers Guild of America).

Broadway has moved, of course more slowly than many would wish, toward inclusion and better understandings of intersectionality. There have been gay winners over the years, some out and many not out.

This year, Alex Newell, who is Black and identifies as gender nonconforming and gender fluid, won the Tony award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for their performance as Lulu in “Shucked.” Alex first appeared in the TV show, “Glee,” and has appeared on Broadway in at least one other production.

J. Harrison Ghee, who is Black and identifies as nonbinary, won the Tony award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for their performance in “Some Like it Hot” as Jerry/Daphne.

For a deeper read on J. Harrison Ghee

For a deeper read on Alex Newell

Watch YouTube interview with Ariana DeBose