the oscars 2019: lgbtq Representation

Did you catch the Oscars this past weekend? By all accounts, this has been a good year for queer representation in film.

Rami Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Malek captured the physicality of Mercury onstage with his band Queen incredibly well, even impressing original Queen bandmates Roger Taylor and Brian May. Bohemian Rhapsody won three other awards for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing (unsurprisingly) as well as Editing (which was a little more surprising).

Olivia Colman took home Best Actress for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite, a comedy-drama about lesbian affairs at the 18th century English royal court, in a bit of an upset given Colman isn't that well-known in the US. Colman, whose first major role was in the cult comedy Peep Show and who plays another queen, Queen Elizabeth, in The Crown, is better known in the UK, but that's about to change. Her acceptance speech was a winner, too. 

Did you see Bohemian Rhapsody or The Favourite? What did you think about the nominations and awards this year? 

More about this year's Oscar-winners around the web: 

Rami Malek Talks Becoming Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody: A short interview with the actor on his process. You can see why he was a critic's favorite to win Best Actor - the effort and thoughtfulness Malek put into his portrayal is definitely award-worthy. 

Out also published A Guide for What Rami Malek Needs to Say in His Best Actor Speech suggesting the actor make mention of Mercury's HIV status and his bisexuality, as well as call out director Bryan Singer (who was fired mid-way through filming amid scandal). 

The Favourite: The true story behind Queen Anne’s lesbian affairs in Oscar-tipped movie: Pink News investigates whether Queen Anne's relationships with her female friends were romantic or platonic, taking a look at the social norms of the time period. 

‘Can You Ever Forgive’ the academy for overlooking these queer films?: Gold Derby rounds up Can You Ever Forgive Me? and thirty-four other LGBTQ films that the Academy has under-rewarded over the years. 

Finally, check out the Advocate's Forget 'Green Book,' Here's 16 Queer Things the Oscars Got Right.