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Emmys 2019: 'Pose' star Billy Porter creates history, becomes first openly gay man to win award for best Actor in a Drama Series

Porter’s essaying of Pray Tell has been praised by critics since the show’s launch last year. The first season, for which he was nominated, saw his character being diagnosed with HIV.

Billy Porter landed his first Emmy for playing the exuberant ballroom Emcee on FX's 'Pose'.  Porter is also the first openly gay black man to win the lead actor in the drama category. 'Pose' is a drama television series about New York City's African-American and Latino LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture scene in the 1980s and, in the second season, early 1990s. Featured characters are dancers and models who compete for trophies and recognition in this underground culture, and who support one another in a network of chosen families known as Houses.

The series was created by Ryan Murphy and Steven Canals.  Porter’s essaying of Pray Tell has been praised by critics since the show’s launch last year. The first season, for which he was nominated, saw his character being diagnosed with HIV.

"The category is love y'all," he said in his acceptance speech. The actor added: "Thank you, my people, all the exquisite men in my category, my mom — a resilient woman, much love to my sister, my husband, my manager, people of FX and Ryan Murphy. You saw me",  he gushed.  Porter edged out big names in his category that included, Jason Bateman ('Ozark'), Sterling K. Brown ('This Is Us'), Kit Harington ('Game of Thrones'), Bob Odenkirk ('Better Call Saul'), and Milo Ventimiglia ('This Is Us').

The series stars an ensemble cast including Evan Peters, Kate Mara, James Van Der Beek, Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Billy Porter, Indya Moore, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Charlayne Woodard, Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross, Angel Bismark Curiel, Dyllón Burnside, and Sandra Bernhard.

FX renewed the series for a third season this June.