While they’re weren’t as many LGBT+ winners at this year’s Oscars compared to last year, it was still filled with plenty of fabulous moments.

Actor and singer Janelle Monáe opened the show with a rendition of A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood. Black performers were centre-stage as Monáe highlighted the Academy’s diversity problem.

“I’m so proud to be standing here as a Black queer artist telling stories,” she said. Monáe also shouted out female directors and Black History Month.

Monáe would later be joined by the always fashionable Billy Porter. Porter stars in the hit FX show Pose, which follows the lives of LGBT+ people in New York’s drag balls.

Porter performed I’m Still Standing by Elton John. John was actually one of the LGBT+ winners of the night, winning best original song – along with his colleague Bernie Taupin – for their work on Rocketman.

In his acceptance speech, he thanked his husband David Furnish and their two sons. He said: “David, I love you so much” and added, “To my beautiful boys who are watching this in Sydney, how much do I love you? Daddy loves you.”

Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar was up for nomination for Dolor y Gloria (Pain and Glory) for best foreign language film. Almodóvar is famous for including queer plot lines in his movies, and Dolor y Gloria was no exception. But it was Parasite that took home the gold, as well as also winning best picture.

Antonio Banderas was the gay lead in Almodóvar’s film, and the role finally got him nominated for best lead actor. He lost to Joker star Joaquin Phoenix though.

Phoenix discussed the shared struggle many people face in his acceptance speech. “I think whether we’re talking about gender inequality, or racism, or queer rights, or indigenous rights, or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice,” he said.

Meanwhile in the best lead actress category, Renée Zellweger came out on top for her portrayl of of gay icon Judy Garland in Judy.

Hopefully next year will see more LGBT+ people winning Oscars for their work both on the screen and behind the scenes.