Colman Domingo was honored with the 2022 ‘History Maker’ Award at The Truth Awards, an annual event that honors Black LGBTQIA+ peoples’ contributions to pop culture, politics and the arts.
The pioneering actor was one of many trailblazers spotlighted at the gala, which was one of the most rousing nights in recent memory.
‘Getting this History Maker Award is really important to me, especially coming from people who look like me. I appreciate you. It means more to me than you’ll ever know,’ he said.
Presented by Better Brothers Los Angeles, a Black queer advocacy non-profit, and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s The Diva Foundation, the show featured bodacious r&b medleys, a powerful in-memoriam for our trans brothers and sisters, some next-level shade and the finest dance party LA’s seen in years.
Hosts Loni Love and Scott Evans had folks rolling in the aisles with their rapid-fire jokes and boundless chemistry. Actor Brandon Black presented the events’ scholarships, which are given each year to Black queer youth pursuing post-secondary education.
Brandon Black walks the carpet
Black got his breakout role this year in A Madea Homecoming, which was an international #1 for Netflix. He plays Madea’s grandson Tim, who comes out to his family, making him the first gay character in a Tyler Perry film.
Though he pointed out that Perry probably doesn’t identify as a drag queen, he noted ‘My great-grandmother and a drag queen would have similar energy cause they’re both boss bitches and if you tell me to sit my ass down I’m probably going to sit my ass down.’
The film is instantly a part of queer iconography, and Black is pitch-perfect in it, a wonderful mix of vulnerability and universal charm.
Speaking of iconography, Domingo is currently filming Rustin, a sure-to-be-sensational portrait of Civil Rights icon Bayard Rustin, organizer of the 1963 March on Washington where MLK delivered his famed ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
Rustin’s story has largely gone untold, in no small part because of his sexuality. Talking to us on the red carpet, Domingo couldn’t help but note the significance of the film: ‘I think it’s an incredible thing that there’s an openly queer man directing an openly queer actor about an openly queer legend. And I think that’s rare,’ he said.
Keep your eyes peeled for Rustin; it’s sure to be a hallmark in queer art and I can’t wait to see these artists bring this story to light.
