Billy Porter Makes History As The First Openly Gay, Black Man To Win For Outstanding Lead Actor at The 2019 Emmy Awards

Billy Porter is still riding high after his historic win at the 2019 Emmys Sunday. 

He became the first openly gay black man to win a lead actor award at the awards show.  

The 50-year-old actor and singer was named Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Pray Tell on FX’s Pose.

“The category is love, y’all, love!” he told the star-studded audience in Los Angeles. 

“I am so overwhelmed and so overjoyed that I have lived long enough to see this day,” said Porter.  

He then quoted activist James Baldwin, speaking on stage of the many years it took of “vomiting up filth that I had been taught about myself and halfway believed before I could walk around this Earth like I had a right to be here.”

Billy added: “I have the right, you have the right, we all have the right.”

He thanked his mother, Clorinda, saying “there’s no stronger, more resilient woman who has graced this earth. I love you mommy.”

He also thanked his show’s co-creator, Ryan Murphy: “Ryan Murphy, you saw me! You believed in us.’

Pose is set in the 1980s and 1990s and showcases New York’s African American and Latino LGBTQ ballroom culture.

Porter, who already had Grammy and Tony awards, beat out nominees Jason Bateman, Sterling K. Brown, Bob Odenkirk, Kit Harington and Milo Ventimiglia

As he accepted his award he urged his fellow actors to work for change.

“We are the people. We as artists are the people who get to change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet,” Porter said. “Please don’t ever stop doing that. Please don’t ever stop telling the truth.”

Billy looked sensational dressed in a black double-breasted suit with 130,000 glittering mini crystals which were arranged in a pinstripes.

The outfit featured floor-length baggy trousers and chunky black platform heels.

In his role as Pray Tell in Pose he serves as a guide and mentor to younger performers.