VMAs

The 18 Gayest Moments From the 2019 MTV VMAs

Don't even bother telling us to calm down.
by 8/27/2019

The MTV Video Music Awards are practically synonymous with “a good time,” and this year’s show did not disappoint. From Taylor Swift’s Equality Act shout-out to gay country-rapper Lil Nas X’s Song of the Year win, the 2019 VMAs were jam-packed with queer moments.

Below, 18 of the gayest wins, performances, and looks from the 2019 MTV VMAs, in no particular order.

For a full list of this year’s winners, head over to MTV.

  1. Taylor Swift and Todrick Hall’s “You Need to Calm Down” music video reunion onstage

    Bennett Raglin/WireImage

    The 2019 Video of the Year was chock-full of queer Easter eggs.

  2. Speaking of Taylor, that “You Need to Calm Down” x “Lover” performance…

    Kevin Mazur/WireImage

    Hear that? That’s the sound of Swifties everywhere losing their minds.

  3. …complete with a shout-out to GLAAD

  4. And: T-Swift using her acceptance speech to promote the LGBTQ Equality Act!

    We have to stan.

  5. Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness taking the stage to present an award

    And slaying with that outfit.

  6. “Truth Hurts” queen Lizzo with that tea…

    GIPHY

  7. …and a VMAs performance to remember

    GIPHY

    We’d expect nothing less from this superstar LGBTQ ally.

  8. Marc Jacobs taking home the VMAs’ first-ever Fashion Trailblazer Award

    Dimitrios Kambouris/VMN19/Getty Images for MTV

  9. Panic! at the Disco scoring Best Rock for “High Hopes”

    Another day, another win for this fan-favorite band—and its pansexual frontman Brendon Urie.

  10. OG Missy Elliott dancer Alyson Stoner joining the legend for her Video Vanguard Award performance

  11. That’s right: Missy Elliott took home this year’s Video Vanguard Award!

    She’s always been a music industry legend in our eyes.

  12. Miley’s epic black-and-white “Slide Away” performance

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    The bisexual singer-songwriter served us some seriously sultry vibes.

  13. Three players from the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team presenting an award

    World champions only!

  14. That epic rap finale featuring Queen Latifah

    These iconic rappers made New Jersey proud.

  15. Literally any moment Lil Nas X, Queer Icon™, was onstage

    John Shearer/Getty Images

  16. Oh—did we mention that a black gay man took home two major VMAs, including Song of the Year for “Old Town Road”?

    Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for MTV

    Yep. After shattering Billboard Hot 100 records, he also did that.

  17. In case you’re still on the fence about Lil Nas X, check out this photo

    Kevin Mazur/WireImage

    The sheer power of this duo! The world is not ready.

  18. And finally: John Travolta almost giving Jade Jolie Taylor Swift’s VMA

    Hands down, the gaffe of the night.

Brooklyn-based writer and editor. Probably drinking iced coffee or getting tattooed.
@_sammanzella