​Emmys 2023: What Do All Of The LGBTQ+ Stars Think Of Their Nominations?

LGBTQ+ Stars Respond to Their Emmy Nominations

The nominees for the Emmys were released yesterday and the list is making our queer hearts very happy!

Alongside shows with notable queer characters like Yellowjackets, Abbott Elementary, Always Murders in the Building and White Lotus, so many LGBTQ+ actors and reality TV show hosts are also up for awards this time around.

The writers and actors strike may postpone the Emmys until next year, but that's ok, we don't mind waiting when the slate of nominees are this gay!

Here are all of the LGBTQ+ actors and hosts that are up for Emmy awards and what they have to say about their historic nominations.

Outstanding Music & Lyrics — "All About Me" From 'The L Word: Generation Q'

Courtesy of Showtime

Heather McIntosh, Taura Stinson, and Allyson Newman scored The L Word: Generations Q its very first Emmy nod in the Song and Lyrics category for their song “All About Me” which was sung by the character Sophie Suarez played by Rosanny Zayas.

The nomination was a “wonderful surprise” according to McIntosh who took to Instagram to announce her nomination. “This song is all about every person that has found their voice under the noise!” she wrote. “We are so honored for this nomination and send tremendous gratitude to our L Word : Generation Q family, Rosanny Zayas and our musical peers for voting for us! Congratulations to our fellow nominees!”

Bella Ramsey, “The Last Of Us,” Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The Last of Us/HBO

Despite nonbinary actor Bella Ramsey's reticence to be nominated in the Lead Actress category, their performance in The Last of Us deserves to be celebrated.

"I'm so happy for the entire team and immensely proud of this show and everyone involved," Ramsey said according to EW. "I'm especially proud of my friend Keivonn Woodard (his first job and first nomination), my brain soul mate Craig Mazin, and my rock and the best sidekick ever… Pedro Pascal. It was the best year of my life shooting The Last of Us so to be given this recognition alongside other phenomenal performers makes my little heart feel very big, thank you."

Murray Bartlett as Nick De Noia in 'Welcome to Chippendales' — Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Erin Simkin/Hulu

Murray Bartlett is up for two Emmy nominations this year, including in his role as Nick De Noia in the super queer Welcome to Chippendales. He won last year for his role in White Lotus. "Thank you @televisionacad for this double nomination!! I’m absolutely thrilled and my mind is blown," he wrote on Instagram. "Working on @thelastofus and on @wtchippendales was pure joy for me. Thank you to everyone who worked on these shows, I adore you all and am so thankful for these brilliant experiences amongst brilliant collaborators. And thank you to everyone who watched!!"

Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson in 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' — Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Amazon Studio

Alex Borestein was nominated for her hilarious turn as the lesbian talent manager in the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

"To best express my reaction I can only quote the very first line ever uttered onscreen by #SusieMyerson
'Fuuuuuuuuuuck!!!' she wrote of her nominations on Instagram.

'Fire Island' — Outstanding Television Movie and Joel Kim Booster — Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie

Fire Island/Hulu

Joel Kim Booster wrote and starred in Fire Island, a queer retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. “About a million years ago AS A BIT I asked my phone to start calling me a Golden Globe Nominee," Booster wrote on social media. "It felt ridiculous and so far away and maybe a little hopeful too, sure. Well now I’m an Emmy nominee twice over and I guess the lesson is dream bigger kids!”

Wanda Sykes in 'Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer' — Outstanding Variety Special

Courtesy of Netflix

Wanda Sykes was not only nominated for Outstanding Variety Special, but also for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. "Big day! Humbled and honored," she wrote on Instagram.

Elton John in 'Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium' — Outstanding Variety Special

Alberto Rodriguez/PictureGroup for Disney+

"It’s an honour for my Special to be recognized by the Academy," Elton John wrote on Instagram of his nomination for the live concert recording of his farewell tour for Disney+. "My final Dodger Stadium performance was bittersweet and an evening that I will never forget. My team @rocketentertainment, the talented @fulwell73productions, and everyone at @disneyplus went above and beyond to create a magical production, not only for me as I said goodbye to North America, but for my fans all over the world to enjoy for years to come!!"

RuPaul Charles for 'RuPaul's Drag Race' — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program

Courtesy of Paramount+

RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked were nominated for a total of nine awards, but RuPaul was singled out and nominated for his role as host of the reality franchise. RuPaul has yet to say anything publicly about the nominations, but the official Drag Race Twitter account posted, "In our #Emmys era. Thank you @TelevisionAcad for nominating #DragRace and #Untucked in 9 categories!"

The Fab Five for 'Queer Eye' — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program

Courtesy of Netflix

Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, and Tan France were nominated for their role as hosts on the beloved Netflix Queer Eye revival show. Brown took to Instagram to celebrate their nomination, "Waking up to find out I’ve been nominated for Outstanding Host at the Primetime Emmys! What an honor!"

Nicole Byer for 'Nailed It' — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program

Courtesy of Netflix

Nicole Byer, the always hilarious host of Netflix's Nailed It, simply wrote on Instagram, "CAN I PLEASE HAVE A EMMY?"

Keke Palmer for 'Password' — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program

Jordin Althaus/NBC

Keke Palmer is the co-host of the new iteration of the game show Password alongside Jimmy Fallon. She responded to the nomination on Instagram by writing, "@jimmyfallon woohoo!! Thanks for the nomination @televisionacad."