Highlights from the 2025 Oscars: LGBTQ+ Wins and Misses

The 2025 Oscars were a night full not only with celebrations and milestones but also with reminders that there are still hurdles in LGBTQ+ representation in cinema. This particular year shone a light on films with LGBTQ+ themes and casts, some basking in well-deserved glory, while others faced unexpected disappointments.

Celebrating victories in LGBTQ+ representation

One standout moment was when costume designer Paul Tazewell snagged a win, making history as he became not only a winner but also a trailblazer. He won Best Costume Design with his stunning work on *Wicked*. As a Black man, his win marked a new chapter in Oscar history. Tazewell's artistic genius crafted almost a thousand costumes, turning *Wicked*'s stage presence from captivating musical theatre magic—a magic he's known well from his Tony-winning time with *Hamilton* and his lauded work on last year on *West Side Story*—into cinema gold.

Zoë Saldaña's triumph mirrored this spirit when she took home Best Supporting Actress, honored at last in Oscar gold after her spellbinding performance in *Emilia Pérez*. Her vibrant character, Rita, a no-nonsense lawyer in this unique Spanish-language transgender crime musical, had already charmed judges at other major awards. In her speech, Zoë emotionally paid homage both as an immigrant's daughter and as a proud bearer, if not a pioneer, in spotlighting diverse stories in Hollywood.

Though *Wicked* didn't sweep all its categories, it still left a memorable mark by winning Best Production Design. It had ten nominations, but it walked away with two wins. Still, who can forget when Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande wowed us all with their melodic medley from *The Wizard Of Oz*, *The Wiz*, and *Wicked* itself? The show-stopping note they set was a definite high point.

*Emilia Pérez*, directed by Jacques Audiard, managed not only massive nominations but also tons and tons buzz. And despite some drama surrounding lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón, it triumphed with "El Mal" snagged Best Original Song alongside Saldaña's honor.

Facing challenges in LGBTQ+ representation

But it wasn't all roses and victories. Some LGBTQ+ nominees found it hard going. Take Cynthia Erivo—though her performance in *Wicked* dazzled many, she missed out on Best Actress, which instead went Mikey Madison's portrayal in *Anora*. Still, being nominated itself was a testament that her talent can't be ignored.

In Best Actor, Colman Domingo didn't grab Oscar gold despite his praised role in *Sing Sing*, as Adrien Brody took it instead with *The Brutalist*. This proved just how intense and neck-to-neck this category was.

Karla Sofía Gascón, a pioneering transgender actress, made history with a Best Actress nod, yet past social media missteps overshadowed her groundbreaking moment, leaving her without a win. Her experience brutally underscores just how tough and layered this quest toward equal representation remains.

Then there was Elton John's and Brandi Carlile's "Never Too Late" from *Elton John: Never Too Late*. Despite its nomination, it didn't clinch Best Original Song—it was "El Mal" from *Emilia Pérez* that took that honor, showcasing just how fierce this year's competition was.

So, what do you think about this year's take on Oscars and LGBTQ+ representation on our screens? Speak up, share your voice, and let's keep urging Hollywood toward a future where inclusivity isn't just a goal, but a norm.