Comedy legend Margaret Cho received the Icon Award at the 2026 Queerties on March 10, 2026 – and she gave a passionate plea to the audience to use their voices amid the ongoing oppression of queer people in America.
"I'm so honored to be here with all of you, and I love the Queerties, and I'm just proud that we have an award ceremony to acknowledge what we do," Margaret shared to the cheering crowds, including HELLO! Magazine who were in attendance.
© Getty ImagesThe 14th Annual Queerties Awards celebrated the most impactful moments in LGBTQ+ media and culture, and the outspoken comedian, known for using her platform to passionately critique social and political problems, called on the audience to "really have to think about what's happening right now" in America.
"It's really about us continuing to use our voices, to use our art for change, and to not stop," she insisted. "Are you going to serve [expletive] or are you going to serve can't?"
© Getty ImagesMargaret went on to criticize President Donald Trump's decision to start a war in Iran, and the administration's plans to consider a war draft for young people, before calling on the audience to stand up for each other but also the trans community, which she said was "facing a genocide".
"When a state like Kansas revokes driver's licenses overnight and says to trans people, 'You don't exist now.' What is that meant to do? That's genocide, so we have to fight for that," she said.
© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal viaMargaret found fame in the ABC sitcom All-American Girl (1994–95), and has also worked in fashion and owns her own clothing line.
The 57-year-old added: "For me, as a gay elder, to watch our government be so horribly transphobic and disgusting to trans people and how that sounds to trans kids, to queer kids? It's already hard enough to grow up gay. It's so painful, it's so hard, and then you have the government bullying you. It's so terrible.
"What we have to do as gay adults… You have to stand up and be proud. Throw your shoulders back. Trans kids will see you, gay kids will see you, and they will say, 'Hey, that person made it. They're happy.'"
© Getty ImagesThe ceremony also honored comedian and actor Megan Stalter, who was presented with the Vanguard Award, and actor-writer Mae Martin, who accepted the Groundbreaker Award for their continued impact on LGBTQ+ representation and storytelling.
The ceremony was hosted by drag queen superstar Trixie Mattel, and will stream exclusively on WOW Presents Plus on March 19.
Heated Rivalry won Best Drama, and Francois Arnaud won Best Performance for his role as Scott Hunter, the MHL player who comes out publicly as gay in episode five of the hit HBO/Crave series.
The 40-year-old actor was not in attendance, but sent in a video message and he thanked the awards show for existing: "I think it's probably the most important and political thing we can do right now, to unapologetically be."
Francois went on to share the award with his scene partner Robbie GK: "Whatever I did in there, we did it together, this is for you, buddy."
