History was made on last night’s Emmy awards. Billy Porter, who plays Pray Tell on “Pose”, was the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy for lead actor in a drama series. In his acceptance speech, Porter called the category “love” and said “visibility and representation are the only things that create change. I hope that young queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.”

The iconic  show “Pose” is an American drama TV series set in New York City in the 1980s and 1990s. Currently in its 3rd season, the show’s cast is mostly transgender with a few gay cast members as well. Creator Ryan Murphy captures the lives of LGBTQ + communities and made sure they were represented.

I’m very proud of “Pose” overall, but Porter is making history and leaving an incredible legacy for more LGBTQ + people in the industry and outside of it. He makes me believe in chasing my dreams and that loves doesn’t hurt, but it heals and loves all in one.