June 9, 2025

Hello, Out readers! Did you catch the Tony Awards last night?

The 2025 Tony Awards were definitely "For the Gaze" this year! Hosted by the wicked witch herself, Out100 Icon of the Year Cynthia Erivo, the awards featured iconic performances from the Death Becomes Her cast, Audra McDonald, Jonathan Groff, Darren Criss, and Nicole Scherzinger!

There were several queer wins last night, including for Sarah Snook's The Picture of Dorian Gray, Paul Tazewell's costumes for Death Becomes Her, and Harvey Fierstein recieving the Lifetime Achievement in Theatre award.

"There is nothing quite like bathing in the applause of a curtain call, but when I bow, I bow to the audience...with gratitude, knowing that without them I might as well be lip-syncing showtunes in my bedroom mirror. And so I dedicate this award to the people in the dark," Fierstein said in his speech.

One of the best things to happen at last night's ceremony was the two Tony wins for the play Oh, Mary!, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Cole Escola!

Escola became the first out nonbinary actor to win for Best Actor in a Play, and the third out nonbinary actor to win a Tony after Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee.

"I want to thank ... the most important people in my life, my friends who are here tonight, Jeffrey, Jen, Ben, everyone watching at home," they said in their speech. "Christian, Dakota, the whole gang, John, Claudia, oh, and T-Bone from Grindr and Amy Sedaris, who always reminds me how important she is to me."

Keep reading to find out our Man Crush Monday and all the best pop culture news!

- Mey Rude

Fletcher fell in love with a 'Boy,' so why is she so sad about it?

Frank Hoensch/Redferns

Tony Awards 2025: Every LGBTQ+ winner and iconic performance

Michele Crowe/CBS; Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Cole Escola makes Tony history with acting win, thanks Grindr connection

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez raises voice for LGBTQ+ 'Freedom' at WorldPride DC

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

Did Kerri Colby just reveal how long 'Drag Race All Stars 10' filmed each bracket?

Paramount+

Charles Blow: Coming out later in life is a 'restoration of the soul'

Mathu Andersen; ABC News Studios

These photos prove The Ritz Bar and Lounge is back and better than ever

Leyda Luz for The Ritz; Briton David for The Ritz

Symone is ready to get louder and gayer at WorldPride

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Trisha Paytas says she doesn't want straight people in her house

Man Crush Monday

Out's July/August cover star, Olympian Tom Daley, is our Man Crush Monday this week! If you haven't checked out our new interview with him, go read it now!