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The 15 Queerest Moments of the VMAs
Many milestones for the LGBTQ community have occurred at the Video Music Awards, MTV's long-running ceremony honoring culturally significant music videos. In addition to the divas and queer talent that have been nominated and accepted awards, the televised event has featured performances and protests that have moved the needle for equality. Take a look at the most impactful moments below.
Cher sings "If I Could Turn Back Time." (1989)
"If I Could Turn Back Time" was a major turning point for Cher's career. The 1989 lead track from her album Heart of Stone received global attention and relaunched her star for another generation. The gay icon's VMAs performance of the song was celebrated by queer fans not only for her reemergence, but for the leather jacket and stocking ensembles sported by her and her backup dancers.
Madonna performs "Vogue." (1990)
Madonna's performance of "Vogue" at the 1990 VMAs was a breakthrough moment for queer culture. The "vogueing" style of dance, popular in New York's ballroom scene, was introduced to mainstream America for the first time. The Rococo-style costumes, with Madonna posing as a modern Marie Antoinette, are now an iconic visual marker of this cultural event.
RuPaul and Milton Berle present. (1993)
RuPaul reached a new level of fame when he copresented with Milton Berle onstage at the 1993 VMAs. While audiences remember the moment for RuPaul's joke of the comedian needing diapers due to his age, the drag queen later revealed that Berle had attempted to grope him backstage, resulting in the onstage awkwardness.
Madonna gets a drag tribute. (1999)
"All I have to say is that it takes a real man to fill my shoes!" Madonna said after a parade of drag queens performed to the singer's greatest hits at the 1999 VMAs. The moment occured about a decade before the premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race and marked a milestone in the history of drag.
Madonna kisses Britney and Christina. (2003)
Madonna once again made pop-culture history when the Material Girl gave a surprise kiss to Britney and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 VMAs during the trio's performance of "Like a Virgin." While most only remember the smooch with Britney -- the second kiss was cut short -- Madonna's act was interpreted as a blessing to the next generation of pop music singers. Justin Timberlake's face after the liplock is also priceless.
t.A.T.u. sings “All Things She Said” and “Not Gonna Get Us” (2003)
It was a big year for female kisses at the VMAs. The Russian duo t.A.T.u., comprised of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova, capped off the performance of their hit songs "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us" with a smooch at the 2003 VMAs. The small army of women dressed in Catholic school uniforms also amped the camp factor.
Lady Gaga walks carpet with gay soldiers. (2010)
Lady Gaga was the biggest breakout star at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, nabbing 13 nominations, including Video of the Year for "Bad Romance." She used her limelight to protest "Don't ask, don't tell," by bringing four gay service members impacted by the discriminatory military practice.
Lady Gaga sings "You and I" in drag as Jo Calderone. (2011)
The following year, the bisexual singer once again amped queer representation by performing "You and I" in drag as "Jo Calderone." She received backup from none other than Queen's Brian May on guitar!
Frank Ocean performs “Thinkin’ Bout You” (2012)
In July 2012, Frank Ocean revealed in a note posted to his blog that his "first love" was a man he met four years ago. Later that year, he performed "Thinkin' Bout You" at the VMAs, which was interpreted to be an ode to the man who "changed my life."
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis sing “Same Love” featuring Mary Lambert. (2013)
Lesbian singer Mary Lambert took the stage of the 2013 VMAs to perform the hit song, "Same Love," with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The song took aim at homophobia in the music industry and in culture more broadly. To top it off, Jennifer Hudson made a surprise appearance and the video went on to win Best Video With a Social Message that evening.
Laverne stans Beyoncé. (2014)
Beyonce sparked much joy in Laverne Cox, whose dancing from the crowd to the "Lemonade" singer's 15-minute set lives on in GIF history. The Orange Is the New Black star had also introduced Usher that evening alongside her castmates.
Miley Cyrus performs with Drag Race queens and LGBTQ youth. (2015)
Miley Cyrus brought a bevy of RuPaul's Drag Race alumni onstage for her 2015 performance of "DOOO It." Cyrus had recently come out as pansexual, and her set at the VMAs was introduced by LGBTQ youth who were also featured in Cyrus's Happy Hippy Foundation's InstaPride campaign.
Trans soldiers walk the red carpet. (2017)
Transgender service members Logan Ireland, Jennifer Peace, Sterling James Crutcher, and Akira Wyatt, as well as veterans Laila Ireland and Brynn Tannehill walked the red carpet of the 2017 VMAs to protest President Trump's trans military ban. "Any patriot who is putting their own life at risk to fight for our freedom and stands for equality is a hero at MTV, and to young people everywhere," said Chris McCarthy, the president of MTV.
The Moon Person lands. (2017)
The VMAs went gender-neutral in 2017 by officially changing the name of its "Moonman" trophies to "Moon Person." "Why should it be a man? It could be a man, it could be a woman, it could be transgender, it could be nonconformist," said Chris McCarthy, the president of MTV.
Hayley Kiyoko wins Push Artist of the Year. (2018)
Hayley Kiyoko scored a major win for LGBTQ representation at the 2018 VMAS by winning Push Artist of the Year. "This validates any queer woman of color that you can follow your dreams," Kiyoko told Billboard, shouting, "VMGAYS!"
