At 50-years-old, Billy Porter‘s success narrative continues to prove his age “aint nothing but a number.”
Evidence of this could be found at the 71st Emmy Awards on Sunday (September 22) when the ‘Pose’ star walked away with the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as ballroom emcee Pray Tell on the FX series. Making him the first openly gay Black man in history to nab the honor, Porter made sure the audience knew it was one he didn’t take lightly.
“It took many years of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here,” Porter said, quoting James Baldwin. “I have the right, you have the right ― we all have the right!”
Look below to see his acceptance speech in full:
Having won an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony award, Porter only needs an Oscar to achieve EGOT status. Click here to see the night’s full list of winners.