TL;DR
- Qween Jean wins Tony for Best Costume Design.
- First openly trans woman to win a Tony.
- Not the first trans winner; non-binary performers recognized.
- Media misreporting on trans representation.
- Celebration of ballroom culture in Cats.
In a dazzling display of talent and resilience, Qween Jean has strutted her way into the history books as the first out trans woman to snag a Tony Award, winning for Best Costume Design of a Musical for her spectacular work on Cats: The Jellicle Ball. This reimagining of the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is not just a feast for the eyes but also a heartfelt homage to the ballroom culture that has long been a vibrant part of the LGBTQ community, particularly for Black trans women. Talk about a win for representation!
But hold your applause, darling. While the headlines are popping off with excitement, they’re also missing the mark. Qween Jean may be the first openly trans woman to take home a Tony, but she’s not the only trans talent to grace the stage with a trophy. Let’s not forget Cole Escola, who won last year for Oh, Mary!, or Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee, who both bagged Tonys in 2023 for their performances in Shucked and Some Like it Hot, respectively. And let’s give a shoutout to Toby Marlow, who won in 2022 for Best Original Score for Six. That’s a total of four non-binary and genderqueer winners in just three years, yet mainstream media seems to be playing a game of catch-up.
One article from Deadline even claimed, “While several non-binary performers have won Tonys in the past, Qween Jean is the first trans winner.” Excuse me? Let’s get our facts straight, people! Qween Jean is indeed the first openly trans woman to win, which is a monumental achievement in its own right. But let’s not erase the contributions and victories of our non-binary siblings who have paved the way. It’s a classic case of being progressive yet sad that it took this long for such recognition to happen.
In a delightful twist, the opening number of the Tony Awards featured a special shoutout to the dolls, with P!nk rewriting the lyrics of Lady Marmalade to celebrate Broadway’s leading ladies. Trans actresses Dylan Mulvaney and Leiomy Maldonado even had a moment to shine, reminding everyone to “protect the dolls, sisters.” It was a sweet, empowering moment in an evening filled with glitz and glamour.
So, hats off to Qween Jean and all the fabulous winners of the night! Let’s keep the celebration going and ensure that every voice in the LGBTQ community is recognized and uplifted. After all, it’s not just about the awards; it’s about the culture, the history, and the fierce individuals who make Broadway the vibrant space it is today. And remember, darling, representation matters! ✨
For more on trans representation in the arts, check out our article on Trans Designer Makes Tony History.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/5KelfPXHNg0?feature=oembed