Emmys 2019: Billy Porter makes history as he wins Lead Actor in a Drama award for Pose

Billy Porter has become the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy in the lead actor in a drama series category.

Porter, who was honoured for his work in FX’s ground-breaking period drama Pose, made history on Sunday night at the annual ceremony in Los Angeles.

His speech paid tribute to the acclaimed writer and activist James Baldwin and discussed the need for acceptance.

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

The 50-year-old was also previously nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on the show, which features a number of queer and transgender actors.

Off-screen, he has been celebrated for his eye-catching wardrobe choices.

He attended the 91st Academy Awards wearing a tuxedo-gown hybrid with a full velvet skirt, which stole the show on the Oscars red carpet and caused a sensation on Twitter. 

At this year’s Met Gala, where the theme was camp, he wore a bejewelled gold catsuit, 10-foot wings, a headpiece and boots from Giuseppe Zanotti.

He arrived in a golden litter carried by six shirtless men and described his inspiration on Instagram at the time: “The Category Is: Old Testament Realness.”

He previously won the Tony for best actor in a musical in 2013 for his turn as Lola in Kinky Boots.

The role also earned him a Drama Desk Award for outstanding actor in a musical and an Outer Critics Award for outstanding actor in a musical.

He also won the 2014 Grammy for best musical theatre album for Kinky Boots.

Porter’s Emmy win came after Ben Whishaw, who also identifies as gay, won the award for supporting actor in a limited series or movie for BBC and Amazon’s A Very English Scandal.

Lead actress in a limited series winner Patricia Arquette also thanked her late sister, Alexis, during her acceptance speech and spoke of a need to protect transgender people from persecution.