Queer Moments Shine at 98th Academy Awards

From Conan O'Brien in drag to LGBTQ+ acceptance speeches, the Oscars spotlighted queer artists and stories.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:19am

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The 98th Annual Academy Awards featured several notable LGBTQ+ moments, including host Conan O'Brien surprising the audience in drag, a performance by lesbian singer Brittney Howard, and the French lesbian film "Two People Exchanging Saliva" winning Best Live Action Short. The ceremony also included acceptance speeches highlighting LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy.

Why it matters

The Oscars are one of the most high-profile award shows, and the inclusion of queer artists and LGBTQ+-themed content reflects growing visibility and acceptance of the queer community in mainstream media and entertainment.

The details

Conan O'Brien, hosting the Oscars for the second time, appeared on stage in drag as the villain Aunt Gladys from the film "Weapons". Lesbian singer Brittney Howard of the band Alabama Shakes performed the song "I Lied to You" alongside other Black artists. The French lesbian film "Two People Exchanging Saliva", set in a dystopian world where kissing is forbidden, won the award for Best Live Action Short. In his acceptance speech, co-writer/director Natalie Musteata thanked the Academy "for supporting a film that is weird and that is queer and that is made by a majority of women." The Kpop song "Golden" from "Demon Hunters", which won Best Original Song, was co-written by Mark Sonnenblick, who thanked his husband Isacc during his speech. Oscars editor Andy Jurgenson also kissed his husband Bill after winning the award for Best Film Editing.

  • The 98th Annual Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 15, 2026.

The players

Conan O'Brien

The host of the 98th Academy Awards, who surprised the audience by appearing on stage in drag as the villain Aunt Gladys from the film "Weapons".

Brittney Howard

The lesbian lead singer of the band Alabama Shakes, who performed the song "I Lied to You" at the Oscars ceremony.

Natalie Musteata

The co-writer and director of the French lesbian film "Two People Exchanging Saliva", which won the award for Best Live Action Short.

Mark Sonnenblick

The co-writer of the Kpop song "Golden" from "Demon Hunters", which won the award for Best Original Song.

Andy Jurgenson

The editor of the film "One Battle After Another", who kissed his husband Bill after winning the award for Best Film Editing.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you to the Academy for supporting a film that is weird and that is queer and that is made by a majority of women.”

— Natalie Musteata, Co-writer and director of "Two People Exchanging Saliva"

“To my partner, Bill, who brings so much joy to my life everyday, and lastly, I'd like to dedicate this to my aunt, Barbara Hall, who was a film archivist for the Academy for over 25 years. She loved her job and she loved showing me old movies and teaching me about film history and I miss her every day.”

— Andy Jurgenson, Editor of "One Battle After Another"

“I also want to thank my people too. My family, some of whom are here tonight, my husband Isacc who is here tonight, but also just to say everybody who worked on this movie, all the animators, it was a real collaboration across the board.”

— Mark Sonnenblick, Co-writer of "Golden"

The takeaway

The inclusion of queer artists, LGBTQ+-themed content, and acceptance speeches highlighting representation and advocacy at the prestigious Oscars ceremony reflects the growing visibility and acceptance of the queer community in mainstream media and entertainment.