At this point, asking whether the Tony Awards are queer is like asking if Broadway has ever met a jazz square. The answer is a resounding yes, darling. But even by its own rhinestone-encrusted standards, the 78th Annual Tony Awards delivered a sparkling showcase of LGBTQ+ excellence, drama, and cheeky acceptance speeches that had us cheering louder than a stage mom on opening night.

From historic wins and glittering gowns to impromptu dating app shoutouts and numbers choreographed “for the gaze” (not the gaze, the gays), this year’s Tonys offered a masterclass in fabulousness. Let’s pull back the curtain on the most iconic queer moments that had us tossing roses at our screens.

Cynthia Erivo Hosted, and Her Wardrobe Deserved Its Own Tony

Let’s get one thing straight, Cynthia Erivo is not. But also, she’s not just a host. She’s a moment. Fresh off a WorldPride concert, an album drop, and promoting Wicked: For Good, Erivo moonwalked into Radio City Music Hall and somehow made ten outfit changes look easy.

No opening monologue, no faux comedy routine, just pure star power, powerhouse vocals, and couture worthy of a museum. One look in particular, a glimmering red gown with white satin trim, gave heavy Annie-meets-Elphaba energy. It was co-designed by Zac Posen and Jason Bolden, but the real magic was Erivo’s calm, commanding presence.

Someone give her dresser a Lifetime Achievement Award. Stat.

Jonathan Groff Straddles Keanu, Remains Dry

Groff may not have taken home a trophy this year (Darren Criss beat him for Maybe Happy Ending), but he still delivered a high-octane tribute to Bobby Darin in Just in Time. Known for sweat-soaked performances that require a splash zone warning, Groff miraculously stayed dry while serenading, then straddling, Keanu Reeves.

Waterproof Groff is still gay rights.

Cole Escola Makes Tony History, Thanks Grindr

Cole Escola, comedian, playwright, wig enthusiast, stole the show and the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!, becoming the first non-binary actor to do so. Dressed in a custom silver Wiederhoeft gown with enough sparkle to blind George Clooney (who was also nominated), Escola offered the queerest acceptance speech of the night.

“Hi Mom. I love you. I’ll call when I can. Oh, and thank you to T-Bone from Grindr,” Escola quipped, casually cementing their legacy and their contact list in Tony history.

Oh, Mary! also snagged Best Direction for Sam Pinkleton and delivered a delightfully deranged take on Mary Todd Lincoln’s inner turmoil. It’s queer. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.

Hue Park Winsand Announces He’s Single

Maybe Happy Ending swept the Tonys with six wins, including Best Musical and Best Score, thanks to the writing duo of Will Aronson and Hue Park. During one of many acceptance speeches, Park charmingly let the world know he’s single. That tidbit echoed through the evening, with presenters and winners giving it playful shoutouts.

Cue the DM flood.

Jinkx Monsoon Pirates the Stage

Drag legend and two-time Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon took to the stage as a pirate wench in Pirates! A Penzance Musical alongside David Hyde Pierce. Was the show snubbed? Sadly, yes. Was Jinkx playing a washboard in full swashbuckler drag a peak moment of the night? Absolutely.

Death Becomes Her Gives a Dazzling Queer-Encapsulated Performance and Paul Tazewell is on a Roll!

While we didn’t get BOOP! The Musical (justice for Betty!), we were gifted the gloriously camp spectacle of Death Becomes Her’s number “For the Gaze.” Picture Liza Minnelli doing a costume-change challenge with backup dancers in rainbow sequins and you’re still only halfway there.

Madeline Ashton, multiple wigs, and a final tableau that probably left several straight viewers emotionally unprepared, Broadway’s never been more in on the joke. Choreographer Christopher Gattelli really said, “Subtlety? Never met her.”

Costume designer Paul Tazewell earned a Tony for his breathtaking work on the show, adding to a trophy shelf that already includes a BAFTA and an Oscar for Wicked. Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Costume Design and remains a trailblazer in every sense.

Harvey Fierstein Finally Gets His Flowers

Harvey Fierstein already had four Tonys, but the Special Lifetime Achievement Award was long overdue. Though his award wasn’t televised (rude!), the moment was still monumental. Fierstein’s decades of blazing trails, be it with Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, or simply existing unapologetically, paved the yellow brick road for this new queer wave of thespians and theater connoisseurs.

Tears were shed were definitely shed in this poignant moment.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Francis Jue Round Out the Rainbow

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Purpose won Best Play, adding to his Pulitzer Prize haul. Meanwhile, veteran actor Francis Jue won hearts (and critical acclaim) for his role in Yellow Face, reminding us all that queer Asian excellence has always been part of Broadway’s DNA.

Curtain Call

From Cynthia’s 10 looks to Cole’s historic win and Jinkx’s pirate couture, the 2025 Tony Awards proved once again that queerness isn’t just part of Broadway, it is Broadway. And as long as we have chorus boys in sequins and monologues that end with “I’d like to thank Grindr,” the theater will be in fabulous hands.

Full List of Winner Below

Best Musical

  • Maybe Happy Ending

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

  • Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

  • Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending

Best Revival of a Musical

  • Sunset Blvd.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!

Best Direction of a Musical

  • Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending

Best Direction of a Play

  • Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary!

Best Revival of a Play

  • Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector

Best Play

  • Purpose

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Natalie Venetia Belcon, Buena Vista Social Club

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Kara Young, Purpose

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Francis Jue, Yellow Face

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

  • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson (music and lyrics) and Hue Park (lyrics)

Best Costume Design of a Musical

  • Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her

Best Costume Design of a Play

  • Marg Horwell, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

  • Dane Laffrey and George Reeve, Maybe Happy Ending

Best Scenic Design of a Play

  • Miriam Buether and 59, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

  • Jack Knowles, Sunset Blvd.

Best Lighting Design of a Play

  • Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Best Choreography

  • Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, Buena Vista Social Club

Best Orchestrations

  • Marco Paguia, Buena Vista Social Club

Best Sound Design of a Musical

  • Jonathan Deans, Buena Vista Social Club

Best Book of a Musical

  • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson and Hue Park

Best Sound Design of a Play

  • Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow