How Billy Porter’s red carpet statements speak for LGBTQ+ rights, turn heads and lead fashion forward at the same time
From overcoming homophobia to denouncing US President Donald Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, Porter has long been a source of inspiration for the LGBTQ+ community
Billy Porter has built a formidable career in music, television and theatre. His extensive experience in Broadway, which has defined his acting prowess, is as long as the trains of the gowns that he wears on the red carpet.
He has fought against homophobia
Porter knew at a young age that his sexuality was different from that of his peers. Growing up in a conservative household, singing only gospel music, he was ridiculed as an “abomination” by his own family. Porter left home in his teens.
Running away was a huge risk, but it was the right move for Porter. Although he earned his freedom, he still faced homophobia and anti-gay beliefs throughout his career. He told W magazine: “You have to fix yourself or you won’t ever have success.”
When Porter tried to break into Hollywood in the 80s, the industry was just looking for just three types of African-American actors, he he told the audience at the 2019 New Yorker Festival: “James Earl Jones, the patriarch. Denzel Washington, the sex symbol. Eddie Murphy, the genius clown.”
Deadline reports that Porter’s career went into a decline; he filed for bankruptcy and went without health insurance for 13 years. But the tide turned when the opportunity came to play Belize in the 2011 revival of Angels in America and his run as Lola in Kinky Boots.
Porter has a role in creating his character and he had to convince executive producer Ryan Murphy to do another concept