The Most Iconic Queer Moments From This Extremely Queer Decade

This has been one hell of a decade. Queer rights, queer arts and queer existence have been taking centre stage, because we’ve demanded our space and fought for our voices. It’s been a wonderful thing to watch.

In the last decade, I came out first as bisexual, and then as a transgender woman, and I did so to a backdrop of TV shows, anthems and political moves that grounded me in a new reality. 

I’ve been looking over these last 10 years that we’ve survived and thrived, to count out some of the most iconic queer moments.

And yes, most of these were chosen by a dedicated committee of my close circle, and yes there were dumplings and cocktails involved.  

2010 – The ACT Fights For Our Right To Party

Look it didn’t last long, and it was struck down as soon as the dinosaurs were done with their afternoon nap, but we kicked off the decade with Canberra passing local marriage equality laws, and throwing down the gauntlet for a fight.

There is nothing more powerfully queer than refusing to play by the rules and just throwing that first brick…

2011- Lady Gaga Releases ‘Born This Way’

‘Born This Way’ became an instant classic as soon as it was released.

It’s a tailor-made queer anthem, from one of the most important and acclaimed artists of our time. It was catchy, loud, aspirational and affirmational, and it captured so many queer hearts who needed something to sing.

2012 – Frank Ocean Comes Out

I could have picked from a hundred coming out stories for this list. But I’ve chosen two black artists, whose voices have challenged pop culture and particularly pop music as a genre, and whose sexuality has been a source of pride. The first is, of course, the indelible Frank Ocean.

His openness about his sexuality was bold and brave and absolutely beautiful. 

2013 – Laverne Cox Debuts In Orange is the New Black 

When Laverne brought a trans character to life — a truly three dimensional character, without the tropes, jokes or body horror that we’re normally given — she opened up decent representation to a queer minority who have been given so little, and are so used to having so much taken away.

Also, Orange is the New Black in general was incredible and queer friendly and intersectional, and you cannot watch it without sobbing, laughing and losing it. 

2014 – Conchita Wurst wins at Eurovision

Conchita. In all of her glory. In all of her refusals. Her refusal to fit a mould, her refusal to temper herself and her identity and personality, her refusal to be safe, and above all, her refusal to be dull.

Conchita made an entire world sit up and pay attention to gender as a spectrum, not a forced and fragile binary. And one or two people (okay, me) may have cried quietly in the bathroom after watching her.  

2015 – The United States Passes Marriage Equality

Like everywhere in the world, it took far too long.

But as the home of so much of our pop culture today (not a good thing), it mattered deeply when it happened. There were shockwaves throughout every medium, from TV shows to books, where queer characters were suddenly looked at again, through new eyes. And it was a spark of encouragement to all of us.

Since then, the US has had a devastatingly regressive LGBTQA+ platform, particularly through their attacks on trans folks, but for a brief sparkling moment they got it right and we were all watching… 

2016 Moonlight Winning The Oscar

 

When the little mix up (read f**kup) happened with the envelopes, we were all convinced that once again a bland slice of heteronormativity had been given the Oscar.

But no. Rather than La La Land‘s saccharine clichés, Moonlight, the story of a queer man of colour, won. It was momentous, and it was important, and it showed that the world can change.

Even when we think the worst of it. 

2017 – The Australian Marriage Equality Referendum

For queer Australians to finally be given recognition and be given rights was a landmark victory, and it came from years of queer activism, tears and tribulation. What can you say about a country voting to protect who you are, by recognising who you are? The words don’t come easily. They can’t come easily.

Also, bonus points for everyone telling Lyle Shelton to eat shit.

But we are fortunate. That’s what Cher is for…

2018 Cher At Mardi Gras 

This one was just iconic.

You cannot argue with the beauty of a gay and queer icon gracing one of the most important LGBTQA+ events in the world, and eventually offering a belated but startling smackdown to then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for his own record of (desperately avoiding) queer rights. 

2019 Li’l Nas X Comes Out On Twitter

For Lil’ Nas X to announce his sexuality and embrace his identity as a queer black man felt hugely important amidst the absolute burning wasteland that was most of 2019. It was a move that we can look back on as empowering, as important, and as a stepping point towards a stronger queer cannon of artists.

some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨ pic.twitter.com/O9krBLllqQ

— nope (@LilNasX) June 30, 2019

Also, it happened in a Tweet, and that — right there — is indeed queer culture at its finest.

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Joan Westenberg is a Sydney based writer and a proud transgender woman.