Lil Nas X steals the show with blue gown & red hot kiss at very queer BET Awards ceremony

Several LGBTQ people were able to shine at the 2021 BET Awards, especially out music sensation Lil Nas X.

Black queer people and their peers made sure that they bought Pride to the cable network’s annual flagship awards ceremony. Out stars Tyler, The Creator, Cardi B, Mj Rodriguez, took to the state and Queen Latifah wished everyone a “Happy Pride” and sent love to her partner and their son.

Related: Just some of reigning king Lil Nas X’s best moments trolling Twitter

First, some of the best-dressed attendees on the red carpet were gay and queer.

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Lil Nas X rocked not just one, but two looks that stole the show.

Tyler, The Creator also arrived on the red carpet — but appeared in a rush to get out of the sun and on-stage.

Amorphous, an out producer and DJ who took over the internet with mashups in the last two years, made his award show debut by DJing the BET Awards pre-show.

His first single as a lead artist, “Back Together” featuring out singer Kehlani, is available now. He also shared that his debut EP, Things Take Shape, comes out July 7.

B. Scott, who is set to become the first trans non-binary host and producer in the network’s history, made an appearance on BET’s HypeCam stream.

Out rappers Lil Nas X and Tyler, The Creator bought two eras of Black gay representation together by meeting outside the show.

Tyler had a short yet sensational performance of his latest single “LUMBERJACK,” fitting into the theme of his latest album, Call Me if You Get Lost.

His set was designed as if he was being chauffeured to a specific place before the wind stops them and nearly blows Tyler away.

Andra Day, fresh from portraying the bisexual Billie Holiday in the biopic United States vs. Billie Holiday, performed “Strange Fruit” & “Tigress & Tweed” by the late entertainer.

She also took home the Best Actress Award for her portrayal.

Out filmmaker and actress Lena Waithe was also in attendance at the show. She presented the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award.

Pose‘s Mj Rodriguez, also a music artist currently performing as Michaela Jaé, was only on stage to present the BET Her Award, but her walk to the mic alone — and spin after — bought cheers from the audience and fans at home.

She walked to her own song, “Something to Say.”

Bisexual rapper Cardi B performed with her husband, Offset, who is a member of the rap group Migos. Cardi’s outfit during the performance bought attention to her belly, which went with the revelation that she’s pregnant and expecting her second child.

She would also take home multiple awards for her song “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, although she was not present by the time they were presented. One was Video of the Year .

Even in the moments that didn’t particularly feature Black queer people, there were many other political ones.

Jazmine Sullivan’s performance opened with an introduction by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who reiterated the message of her infamous mantra: “reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time.”

Lastly, but surely not least, Lil Nas X performed “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” with the performance thematically influenced by Michael Jackson’s music video for “Remember The Time.”

Unlike his Saturday Night Live debut, Nas didn’t have pants to rip at this performance — he opted for a wrap-around skirt, going along with the Egyptian vision that Jackson’s video encompassed.

Multiple times during the protest, Nas got close to his background performers. He waited until the end to finally lock lips (and tongues) with one of them.

While two men kissing live on television often stirs controversy — just ask Adam Lambert, who faced backlash and canceled performances after doing so at the 2009 American Music Awards — fans and celebrities alike celebrated the moment.

In very typical Lil Nas X fashion, the star has already shut down any complaints from angry viewers.

He was more than proud to bring his authentic self to the awards show that has often been accused of erasure or prejudice by Black LGBTQ people.

Watch his performance here: