The year is 2019, and the Emmys have never been more queer.

Series like "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Pose" scooped up nominations and wins (we see you, Billy Porter!) on TV's biggest night. And the Emmys broadcast proved a safe space for LGBTQ people, as stars themselves made fearless statements in support of the LGBTQ community.

In the current political climate where LGBTQ people face persecution at every turn, giving queer artists and their allies significant airtime during the show was another critical step in educating the American public about who queer people are — and why they need your help.

The biggest queer news of the night? Billy Porter made history as the first openly gay man to win best actor in a drama series.

"The category is love, y'all, love," Porter said triumphantly as he stepped onto the stage. The "category is" echoes the words of his "Pose" character, Pray Tell, who says these words before each drag ball on the series.

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Porter quoted writer James Baldwin and thanked his husband, his "Pose" cast and Ryan Murphy, among others. But it was the end of his speech that sent a clear message about the responsibility of artists: "We are the people, we as artists are the people that get to change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet. Please don't ever stop doing that. Please don't ever stop telling the truth."

It was the culmination of a night that saw many a queer artist and ally make statements solidifying their efforts to, indeed, change hearts and minds.

Laverne Cox, of "Orange Is the New Black," carried a rainbow-colored purse, a nod to the LGBTQ flag, with the phrases "Oct. 8," "Title VII" and "Supreme Court."

Cox was accompanied on the carpet by Chase Strangio, a staff attorney with the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project, and both spoke to E! News about Cox's choice of pointed accessory.

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"October 8. Everyone should be aware that the (Trump) administration is asking the Supreme Court to make it legal to fire workers just because they are LGBTQ. And this is actually going to transform the lives of LGBTQ people, and people who are not LGBTQ, anyone who diverts from (stereotypes), like all the fabulous people here," Strangio said, referring to the red carpet. "So we really need to show up on Oct. 8, and really pay attention, because our lives are on the line."

In other years, that would've been a bold enough statement. But the queer — and specifically transgender — support kept coming.

Patricia Arquette echoed Cox's job sentiments, growing emotional after her win for lead actress in a limited series or TV movie for "The Act." Arquette's sister Alexis Arquette, a transgender actress and activist, died in 2016.

"Trans people are still being persecuted and I'm in mourning every day of my life, Alexis, and I will be the rest of my life for you until we change the world so that trans people are not persecuted," Arquette said in her speech. "And give them jobs. They're human beings, let's give them jobs. Let's get rid of this bias we have everywhere."

"I feel like I’m just starting to process (Alexis' death)," Arquette said backstage. "I really miss my sister and I really want to help create a world where … you know, trans women of color live on the lowest amount of any group of people in America, under $10,000 a year, deep poverty. Trans people in America have a life expectancy of 35 years. That’s not acceptable. And still, jokes are common and we don’t see people getting employed everywhere. And you don’t see them, so we really need to change this," she added.

Mix these sentiments with RuPaul again winning for outstanding competition program, "A Very English Scandal" star Ben Whishaw thanking his partner Mark in his speech accepting the award as best actor in a limited series and bisexual artist Halsey singing the "In Memoriam" segment (and, yes, Billy Porter's win), and you could feel the overwhelming queer love and empowerment radiating off your TV screen.

The industry has made significant strides when it comes to queer representation. LGBTQ characters reached a record level of representation on broadcast TV, a GLAAD study reported in October last year. But with word that young people across America are becoming less tolerant of LGBTQ people, per a new report, speaking loud and proud about these issues is more important than ever.

Hollywood: Thank you for being an ally tonight. Now do it again, and again, and again, until people listen.

Contributing: Maeve McDermott, Bill Keveney