The 2025 Oscars took place on Sunday, March 2, with LGBTQ+ talent and stories shining throughout the night. From live performances to nominees and even winners, here’s all you need to know about the ceremony’s queer highlights.
Paul Tazewell wins Best Costume Design
Gay costume designer Paul Tazelwell made history with his win at the 2025 Oscars. He became the first Black man to collect the award for Best Costume Design, thanks to his spellbinding work on Jon M Chu’s Wicked.
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Two wins for Emilia Pérez
Netflix’s controversial trans musical Emilia Pérez had the most nominations of the year with 13. After earning a BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award, Zoë Saldaña unsurprisingly won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rita Mora Castro, and the film also collected Best Original Song for ‘El Mal’.
Zoe Saldaña is a first-time Oscar winner for her performance in EMILIA PÉREZ.
“I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last!” pic.twitter.com/GRiJ8JV7Mb
— Netflix (@netflix) March 3, 2025
No Other Land wins Best Documentary Feature Film
This year’s Best Documentary Feature Film was No Other Land, a collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers. It follows activist Basel Adra as he risks arrest to document the destruction of his hometown in the West Bank. In his acceptance speech, Adra called for an end to “the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people”.
#Oscars2025 🇵🇸 @basel_adra: “We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.” #NoOtherLand pic.twitter.com/2yVfryoAWC
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) March 3, 2025
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s epic performance
Wicked only managed to emerge victorious from two of its 10 nominated categories, with queer star Cynthia Erivo and pop icon Ariana Grande losing out. However, the duo still managed to steal the spotlight, as they performed an epic The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked medley to open the 97th Oscars ceremony.
The BRIT Awards also took place over the weekend with LGBTQ+ musicians winning big. Charli xcx took home five trophies thanks to her cultural phenomenon Brat. Elsewhere, Chappell Roan won International Artist of the Year, dedicating it to trans artists, drag queens, fashion students, sex workers and the later Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor.
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