The Spotlight is on LGBTQ Performances as the 2020 Emmy Nominations Arrive

Laverne Cox RCF/MGA - Jeremy Pope/Instagram - Samira Wiley/AFP/Getty Images

The 2020 Emmy Nominations are here and 13 of them are queer! 2020 is a year marked by a lot of things, but progress didn’t seem like one of those things. But then we look at the shows that are dominating the TV these days and it’s apparent that change is coming. Diverse, LGBTQ characters are not merely relegated to minor roles anymore, but are sought after to play prominent leads in top contending shows. There's good reason to celebrate this year’s Emmy Award Ceremony.

Shows receiving multiple nominations and featuring LGBTQ characters in lead roles include: 

Hollywood, Rupaul’s Drag Race, Killing Eve, Queer Eye, Cheer, Euphoria, Pose, Will & Grace, The Politician, and Schitt’s Creek.

Photo Credit: SAEED ADYANI/NETFLIX (Hollywood) | Ali Goldstein/Netflix (Orange is the New Black)

"Schitt’s Creek" is taking home the most nominations with 15, followed closely by "Hollywood" with 12 and RuPaul’s Drag Race with 10. Unfortunately, the talented transgender cast of the Emmy-Award winning show Pose was snubbed from the list of nominations this year—for the second year in a row, as we recently reported.

However, two extraordinary transgender actresses did garner nominations. This year’s notable transgender nominees include: Rain Valdez and Laverne Cox. Valdez was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. Cox recieved a nod for her role Belle Jonas in her web series "Razor Tongue", which she also wrote and directed. Cox was also nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama series for her role as Sophia Burset in the final season of Orange is the New Black.

Some of the noteworthy LGBTQ nominees this year include: Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek) Wanda Sykes (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Jeremy Pope (Hollywood), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend), Samira Wiley (The Handmaid's Tale), Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) Billy Porter (Pose), Jim Parsons (Hollywood), Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve), Andrew Scott (Black Mirror), Cherry Jones (Succession), and Holland Taylor (Hollywood). 

Here’s what the stars are saying about this year’s nominations: