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Whether it’s Frank Ocean’s sultry performance or Madonna reminding everyone that drag queens run the world, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have always unofficially celebrated the contributions of the LGBTQ community to music. However, many fans were nervous for the 2025 ceremony. At a time when marginalized voices are under attack across the country, is there still a strange presence at this historic awards ceremony? Luckily, they didn’t disappoint, as the VMAs quickly reminded everyone of a very important fact. It’s that there is no music industry without queer artists.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the moments that made the 2025 VMAs one of the gayest awards shows of all time.

Before it even started, the ceremony’s red carpet featured some of entertainment’s biggest queer stars (and their impeccable fashion choices). Whether it was boner Law Roach, hilarious comedian Megan Stalter, or famous drag queens like Lexi Love and Simone, the crimson runway was a space for these icons to show off what they had to offer.

The invite list alone makes it clear that LGBTQ artists will continue to be an integral part of the VMAs. This fact was taken to unimaginable heights when Lady Gaga won the “Artist of the Year” award.

Even after countless victories, it’s hard to overstate how important Lady Gaga’s victory is to the LGBTQ community, especially considering she was honored with the award for the tremendous amount of work she accomplished this year. Her new album Mayhem has not only become the soundtrack to every gay bar, but continues to speak out for queer and trans people across the country in the face of growing discrimination. For her LGBTQ fans, it was very cathartic to see Mother Monster open the show with uplifting, typical queer energy and only get better from there while accepting the award.

Not only did a number of LGBTQ artists perform, giving big cheers to Laura Young and Conan Gray, but part of the night was focused on presenting the first Latin Icon Award to gay pioneer Ricky Martin. He used his speech to encourage unity during this divisive time, reminding listeners that music should be what brings us together at a time when people are literally trying to tear us apart. And he won’t be the only LGBTQ artist going home with Moonman! Stances around the world cheered when Kate Eye won the VMA’s Push Performance of the Year, the first award for a global girl group that is revolutionizing what it means to be an idol today. Not only are they breaking barriers, but along with members Lala Raji and Megan Skiendiel, Kate Eye made history as one of the only idol groups to feature two openly queer women.

Halfway through the VMAs, this awards ceremony was already shaping up to be one of the weirdest…but someone wanted to bring even more to the stage. Someone who used every moment to promote LGBTQ artists and advocate for the respect these communities deserve. Although she was already considered an icon before the show, her performance and acceptance speech cemented Sabrina Carpenter as one of the biggest advocates in music today.

All VMA performers bring their own concepts to their performances, but few are as instantly captivating as Carpenter’s performance of “Tears.” The faux city streets of her stage recall moments in history like the Stonewall Riots, an act of resistance that promoted LGBTQ liberation and made the modern music industry possible. And when the cameras rolled, the audience learned that Carpenter had brought queer royalty to the stage, including Drag Race queens Denali, Willum, Simone, Lexi Love, Laganja Estranja, and social legends Dashawn Wesley and Honey Balenciaga. The entire group took part in visually stunning choreography, then each held up a cardboard placard with words ranging from “Protect Trans Rights” to “We Trust Transgenders” to “Support Local Drug.” With this song, Carpenter bravely fought transphobia and advocated for equity more than anyone else that night, but she wasn’t done yet.

“I just want to say to the amazing cast, dancers, and queens that are on stage with us tonight…as we all know, this world is full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” Carpenter said upon accepting the Album of the Year award. “So to be able to be a part of something so often, something that brightens you up, makes you smile, makes you dance, and makes you feel like the world is yours, I’m so grateful.” While many celebrities have fun featuring queer performers, it’s an unfortunate truth that too often these people are treated as props rather than actual artists. Carpenter used every bit of screen time to show his love for LGBTQ artists and give them the national applause they deserved. It produced plenty of amazing, fully LGBTQ moments throughout the night, and gave everyone watching a great model of how to be a true ally today.

There were so many great moments at the 2025 VMAs, it would be unfair to single them out as the best. From the Eyekons to the activists of Short and Sweet, the awards ceremony was filled with reminders for everyone that queer people have built the music industry we love, and we’re not going anywhere. But while each of these resonated with different fans for different reasons, there was one moment that touched the hearts of all queer people watching.

When Ariana Grande accepted the Video of the Year award, she succinctly expressed her gratitude to the LGBTQ community in a way that everyone could understand: “Thank you to all the therapists and gay people. I love you.”