The 2018 Met Gala’s Best Lesbian, Bi, and Queer Looks
In the fashion industry, the first Monday in May is its own kind of holiday.
The Met Gala (formerly known as the The Costume Institute Gala, and informally known to me as “your favorite celebrity’s favorite red carpet”) is a fundraiser, co-sponsored by Anna Wintour and Vogue, supporting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Costume Institute in New York City. It’s also the soft launch of the Metropolitan Museum’s annual summer fashion exhibit. An unabashed love letter to the craft and art of fashion, the night’s red carpet is more iconic than the gala itself.
Designers invite celebrities as their guests to wear masterfully constructed, and often avant-garde, “costumes” based on a central theme. This year’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” gave a me a bit of pause. Little did I know that 20GayTeen would once again work it’s magic when I least expected it!
Eleven out queer women and non-binary folks walked the carpet last night, more than any previous record. We have all of those looks for you here! We also included a few special extras that we didn’t want you to miss.
Grab a quick mid-afternoon lemonade and enjoy!
The Best Lesbian, Bi, and Queer Looks
Lena Waithe, in a custom Carolina Hererra.
Is there anyone else we would have started with? As a black masculine-of-center lesbian, Lena Waithe was already going to make an impact in her Met Gala debut just for walking the carpet in her signature well tailored suit and perfectly beat face. She took it further. She made sure that we were in the room, and that everyone would know it. Lena always puts her community on her back, this time literally, and we can’t help but love those who are out there loving us so openly.
To really take in the weight of this costume choice, we can’t forget that the theme of last night’s gala — “Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. It was criticized by many for being insensitive to the history of the church’s relationship with homophobia, sexual abuse, and racism. Lena turned her red carpet moment into a statement of defiant pride, solidarity, and visibility.
A real life black lesbian superhero.
Seriously, what did we do to deserve her? What a time to be alive. Waithe also took time on the carpet to talk with Vogue about the significance of her fashion choice, including the decision to include black and brown (representing people of color) with the Pride flag rainbow.
Janelle Monáe, in Marc Jacobs with Jennifer Fisher Jewelry.
.@janellemonae is looking heavenly! #MetGala https://t.co/raXDxYUVPu pic.twitter.com/uTKDk4thMx
— NYT Fashion (@NYTFashion) May 8, 2018
Janelle Monáe returned to her iconic black & white aesthetic, using the gold brim of her hat to play on the event’s theme — it’s meant to cast a “halo” framing her face. It’s been a while since Monáe brought back the black & white uniform of her early career, but as she reminded Vanity Fair last night, “My black and white is meant to honor my working-class parents. My mother was a janitor, both my fathers, my biological father and my stepfather, were custodians, sanitation workers, post-office workers.” They wore uniforms everyday. It wasn’t about what they were wearing, but who they were.
Miley Cyrus, in Stella McCartney.
Miley, along with Autostraddle “Vapid Fluff” regular Paris Jackson and Stella McCartney, who dressed both women, talked about the future possibilities of sustainable fashion and the environment.
Amber Heard, in Carolina Herrera.
Forever crushing on Amber Heard. #MetGala #MetHeavenlyBodies https://t.co/rLv7uGXR1a pic.twitter.com/EHDT2INJ0o
— E! News (@enews) May 7, 2018
Stella Maxwell, in Moschino.
Sadly, she left KStew at home.
https://twitter.com/Moschino/status/993858197193658368
Ruby Rose, in Tommy Hilfiger with Judith Leiber Accessories.
Oh and Ruby left a ‘lil message for ya on their Instagram ?
Yeah they will.
Cara Delevingne, in Dior Haute Couture.
.@Caradelevingne is attending the #MetGala for the seventh time tonight. See more from the red carpet: https://t.co/lb4SZlV88p pic.twitter.com/jcUegkhlR6
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 8, 2018
No pictures of Cara with her alleged girlfriend Paris Jackson on the carpet last night, but you know, a girl can dream.
Kiersey Clemons, in a custom H&M.
.@KierseyClemons is stunning in her custom-made #METGala dress. Are you loving it as much as we are? #HM pic.twitter.com/a0zrFHf8UZ
— H&M (@hm) May 7, 2018
Did we mention that out actress Kiersey Clemons has a new gay movie coming out? It’s called Hearts Beat Loud and its going to have a limited release this summer. Be on the lookout for it!
Sasha Lane, in Tory Burch.
Speaking of young actresses to be on the lookout for, check out this bi actress and future star of the film adaption to the lesbian cult classic The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 20GayTeen is going to be her year!
Evan Rachel Wood, in a custom Altuzarra.
Angelic Vision: Evan Rachel Wood wears a Custom Altuzarra Gold Paillette and Thread Embroidered Feather Cape, Black Jumpsuit and ‘Kiss’ Bag. #MetGala #MetHeavenlyBodies @evanrachelwood pic.twitter.com/fahz2ONNmb
— ALTUZARRA (@ALTUZARRASTUDIO) May 8, 2018
Evan Rachel WOULD, indeed.
Sarah Paulson, in Prada with Tiffany & Co. Jewelry.
.@MsSarahPaulson wore #Prada while attending The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala celebrating the opening of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in New York. ⠀#PradaPeople ⠀#MetGala⠀#MetGala2018#MetHeavenlyBodies pic.twitter.com/7bvFktyjPi
— PRADA (@Prada) May 8, 2018
An icon.
Even More Looks From Favs That We Didn’t Want You To Miss!
Tessa Thompson, in Thom Browne with Tiffany & Co. Jewelry.
Damn. ¡Y Tessa Thompson! Slayyy #MetGala pic.twitter.com/sj3941pSV1
— Emilio Doménech (@Nanisimo) May 8, 2018
In her MET GALA DEBUT!!!! Come thru Tessa!!! I am so ready for your astronomical rise ?? ?? ??
Lynda Carter, in Zac Posen.
Princess Lynda Carter of Themyscira, sculpted from clay and brought to life by the gods. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/AD2ANMuGFE
— Devan Coggan (@devancoggan) May 7, 2018
Wonder Woman!!!!! Fresh out of Themyscira and into our hearts.
Rihanna, in Maison Margiela.
I went to Catholic high school, and I can 100% promise you I would have paid more attention if these pictures had been in our religion textbooks.
Damn Rih. You want to see that outfit in motion, don’t you? Well, if you watch one video from last night, let it be this one from Rihanna and Vogue.
Paris Jackson, in Stella McCartney.
.@ParisJackson was absolutely gorgeous on the #MetGala carpet! See all the pics from tonight: https://t.co/UM9hWRCA9B pic.twitter.com/1SLpJCYEMx
— ExtraTV (@extratv) May 8, 2018
Solange Knowles, in Iris van Herpen.
😭… Only 👑 @solangeknowles! Name another who could kill this look!? *Waiting* #metgala pic.twitter.com/p6e1vCwDbD
— EBONY (@EBONY) May 8, 2018
The night before the Met Gala, Solange uploaded three potential outfits from her Twitter followers to choose from. She picked this, a clever take on an hip hop angel (notice how the bottom of the outfit invokes a famous Missy Elliott aesthetic), because as one of her followers put it, “God Loves Durags.”
Cardi B, in Moschino.
Rapper Cardi B shows off her baby bump in a shimmering gown at the Met Gala https://t.co/UqUAUGAJRe pic.twitter.com/MberTjUkdA
— CNN (@CNN) May 8, 2018
Cardi B as a pregnant Madonna is what I need in my life.
Zendaya, in a custom Versace with Tiffany & Co. Jewelry.
Zendaya didn't come to play with this Joan of Arc #MetGala look, WOW!!!! pic.twitter.com/Vsz0Sgvbyu
— MTV (@MTV) May 8, 2018
Zendaya pulled her inspiration from Joan of Arc, the unofficial Catholic saint of tomboy lesbians everywhere.
Frances McDormand, in Valentino.
Frances McDormand just did that. #MetGala #MetHeavenlyBodies pic.twitter.com/gzixhs8ayO
— E! News (@enews) May 7, 2018
Stay weird. Do you.
Ashley Graham, in Prabal Gurung.
A sparkling @ashleygraham walks the #MetGala carpet. #MetHeavenlyBodies #AshleyGraham pic.twitter.com/NgkOuavmGg
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) May 7, 2018
For all of its moves towards inclusivity in recent years, the Met Gala is severely lacking when it comes to body diversity. At least Ashley Graham was there to represent — and damn does she look great! Still, it’s far from being enough. As we take in all the drama and beauty, let’s also keep pushing for more of us to be seen each year.
Did you have any favorite Met looks from 2018? Are you already custom ordering your Pride Cape for all your summer gay needs? Let us know in the comments!
Kristen Stewart And Stella Maxwell Crashed a Lesbian Wedding and Aunt Linda Was Very Excited
That Kristen Stewart shows up in the darndest places, be it the red carpet in Cannes, a health food store in Los Feliz or occasionally a particularly terrible vampire movie. This past weekend, she reached new levels of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ by turning up at the Canadian wedding of a couple of women she’d never met before..
Kirsten and Kayleigh Jennings celebrated their wedding Saturday in a backyard in the River Heights area of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The pair met in 2010 when they were both bartending in the Cayman Islands, and have been together ever since. They moved back to Winnipeg (Kirsten is originally from there; Kayleigh is from Oklahoma) in 2012, as the US government did not federally recognize same-sex marriage at the time. They had a small ceremony in a backyard with about 90 guests, and then had a Dixie-land style band lead their friends and family to a reception at Pizzeria Gusto. As luck would have it, the lesbian wedding gods were smiling fondly upon Pizzeria Gusto that day, as they restaurant had been recently utilized to cater an event for JT LeRoy, a movie about the elusive/nonexistent author, currently filming in Winnipeg and starring the one and only Kristen Stewart.
Around 10 PM, the couple were approached with an intriguing proposition. “The owner came up to me, and he said, ‘Hey, is it OK if Kristen Stewart and her girlfriend Stella [Maxwell] come and have a few drinks with you guys?'” explains Kristen Jennings. “…I was like, ‘Yeah, totally! Yeah, no problem. Um, who is that?'”
Kayleigh continues, “I told Kir, ‘Hey, let’s just treat them as random guests. Let’s just treat them with kindness — southern hospitality. Winnipeg hospitality.'” Stewart and Maxwell arrived half an hour later.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BW5ZdlljdvO/
While the couple admitted it was a little awkward having complete strangers crash their wedding party, Stewart and Maxwell were polite and fun and didn’t make a spectacle of themselves. They reportedly hung around for about three hours, danced, drank and even requested songs. “We got to be formally introduced before they came in and partied with us. We got a chance to shake her hand and shake Stella’s hand,” Kayleigh offered. “I actually wasn’t as star-struck as I thought I would be.”
“They looked just like two normal girls,” Kirsten explained. “They look a little Hollywood, but if we didn’t know who they were, I don’t know if I would have known. We said ‘Hey, you know. Come on and meet your guests and, you know, don’t segregate yourselves. Come and party… There were only a few people who were star-struck. My Aunt Linda was extremely excited.” Aunt Linda is not alone in this sentiment.
JT LeRoy will tell the story of Savannah Knoop, a woman who pretended to be the infamous but ultimately imaginary author JT LeRoy for six years. Laura Dern will play Laura Albert, the actual author of all of LeRoy’s books. Aunt Linda is extremely excited.
BREAKING: Kristen Stewart Spotted Walking Next To Stella Maxwell, Ring The Alarm
The queer internet has been in a panic for the last day or two (or the last several months, depending on how you see it) regarding the nature of the relationship between one sullen actress Kristen Stewart and one Victoria’s Secret model Stella Maxwell. Romance rumors have swirled around the pair off and on for months, but they’ve also been visibly involved with other people for quite some time and to be fair, just because a pair of women are seen together it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more than friends, right? Sometimes a pair of gals are actually just pals! Sometimes a lady needs queer community. But before we dismiss this story as mere speculation, let’s take a closer look at the timeline of these stories and see if we can’t paste together some semblance of an answer.
In May, shortly after splitting up with French actress/singer Soko, Kristen was spotted leaving a Met Gala afterparty with Stella. Tabloids claimed that Stewart and the “outdoorsy” model (previously linked to Miley Cyrus) had clearly hooked up, which even then was difficult to verify. Just a few weeks later, Stewart’s ex girlfriend Alicia Cargile appeared on the Cannes red carpet, politely holding Kristen’s sneakers – an iconic moment in Vapid Fluff’s brief history. The pair seemed to reconcile, and all was right in the world until late August, when the gossip mill announced that Cargile and Stewart were no more, and that Kristen had been seen about town with Cara Delevingne‘s recent ex, Annie Clark (are you still with me?)
In mid-October 2016, Kristen and musician Annie Clark were seen leaving the Bowery Hotel in Manhattan together, with Stella in tow. At the time, the press was very focused on the (still unconfirmed but like, pretty obvious) relationship between Annie and Kristen, and Stella just seemed like a friend along for the ride.
Now, things are much more confusing. Just a few days ago, Annie Clark confirmed that she had done the score for Come Swim, a short film directed by Stewart; the pair seemed to have settled into an easy, functional, mutually beneficial relationship. However, the pair were noticeably being photographed together much less, spurring rumors that they may have already split up. At the same time, photographers captured Stella visiting Kristen on the set for her new film, a historical piece centered around Lizzie Borden (filming in Savannah, GA for some reason).
Just some gals being pals
Looks a whole lot like the way famous women walk next to their girlfriends to me, but what the hell do I know? They’re not even holding coffee or dragging suitcases. According to Inquisitr, “Whoever Kristen may be dating now, it is clear that she won’t be looking at men anymore,” so there’s that.
As for Annie, well, she and Cara have been pretty friendly for exes, but they were spotted at a museum together yesterday… possibly holding hands? Body language expert Carolyn Yates agreed: these two are most likely still into each other.
https://twitter.com/celesbians/status/808945383564922880
We here at Vapid Fluff HQ will remain dedicated to this story and will keep you posted as details pour in. As far as we can tell, Kristen Stewart shall not rest until she has dated every queer woman in all of Hollywood (and we’re all for it).
https://twitter.com/KStewartBR/status/808466049775632388
No Filter Fed Cake to a Glitter-Encrusted Miley Cyrus
Welcome back to No Filter, the most prestigious sociological study on Autostraddle dot com. In this week’s important celebrity news, Kristen Stewart still doesn’t have an instagram account, and Kate Moennig is probably setting up a croquet set in your backyard. Let’s dive right in to see which heavily curated glimpses into the stars’ private lives the universe offered us this week!
I would be remiss if we didn’t begin No Filter with the ultimate reunion of gal pals.
Cara Delevingne just found out about reading books. It’s been a big week.
No real comment, I just thought you might like to look at this lovely picture of Ellen Page. She also went to the first-ever pride in Jamaica, because Ellen Page is an actual angel.
Laverne Cox looks like a goddamn beautiful butterfly in these sunglasses.
https://instagram.com/p/55kOzFGFbX/
In which Sara cheats on her unbelievable cat with this delightful dog.
Then that dog was like “whatever” and hung out with Samira Wiley, I guess.
https://instagram.com/p/5ySxOxrmqU/
Angel Haze learned a valuable lesson about getting matching tattoos with your girlfriend of about ten minutes.
https://instagram.com/p/5a5BwBt1ym/
Generally I try to keep these to photos that happened during the current week, but Jamie Clayton’s instagram just appeared on my radar and goddamn, let’s talk about this picture with Mariah Carey.
I don’t even know where to start with this W Magazine spread of Stella Maxwell feeding cake to a glitter-covered, mostly naked Miley Cyrus, but it’s here and so are we and that’s where we’re at right now.
Gosh, who knows what Cara Delevingne might be reading next! Join us next week to find out.
No Filter Gives Cara Delevingne The Best Girlfriend Award, Now And Forevermore
Welcome back to No Filter, where we take time we could have spent thinking about philosophy or politics or how to save the last Northern white rhinos on the entire planet, and instead we puzzle over the relationship status of Cara Delevingne. We’re all very proud of ourselves. This week, Laura Jane Grace has a huge surprise for us, Tegan and Sara are giving us a big box of trash, and Miley Cyrus is doing suggestive things to a dessert food. Let’s get to it!
https://instagram.com/p/5YQk_AwTad/
Internet rumours are trying to tell me that Cara and Annie broke up recently, but that can’t be true because Cara just won the girlfriend award to end all girlfriend awards. I used to think it was Cara who’d fuck this up somehow but Annie, girl, hang onto this one. She’s a KEEPER.
Turns out Laura Jane Grace has been Beyoncé this entire time; nobody is surprised.
https://instagram.com/p/5L5SAwwzL3/
Miley Cyrus and Stella Maxwell are having a wholesome time with this delightful churro. Miley, I just want to love you; you need to stop with the cornrows.
At long last, Laverne Cox met Caitlyn Jenner.
At long last, Laverne Cox met this dinosaur.
Just Ellen Page snuggling a dog.
All of your favourite queermos at one restaurant, where Leisha Hailey awkwardly eats a sandwich.
https://instagram.com/p/5Hu_6PJqFz/
SEASON 4 IS SO FAR AWAY AND I DON’T KNOW HOW I’M GOING TO LIVE.
https://instagram.com/p/5K9e8SmFQD/
If you were very, very fast, you could have picked up a bunch of priceless Milo and Otis VHS tapes and discarded Ace of Base albums. Cannot imagine the joy of whatever nerds biked over there fast enough to sort through these treasures.
Samira and Lauren being the best humans, hands down.
Join us next week, when Miley Cyrus hosts a garage sale full of pizza sheets, glitter shakers, discarded kittens and gold leaf rolling papers.
No Filter Is Sailing Down A Lazy River On A Giant Swan With Sara Quin’s Cat
Welcome back to No Filter, a weekly celebration of famous people’s pets. This week in People Who Don’t Have Instagram, Evan Rachel Wood sang Alanis Morissette in her basement (it’s fine, everything’s fine). As far as we can tell, everybody else on the internet was busy celebrating Leisha Hailey’s birthday, whether they were conscious of it or not. You were too.
Poussey and Soso are back at it, shooting season 4 of Orange Is The New Black. When do we get to a place where I can write something spoiler-y about season 3 without one of you murdering me? What are you guys even doing here if you haven’t finished the season? Get to work.
https://instagram.com/p/5FR6RdMNs-/
Andreja Pejić is living my actual dream life right now.
Or maybe it’s Miley Cyrus and Stella Maxwell, who rode their dinosaurs into town to pick up an extra tub of glitter and a six-pack.
Did you ever wonder what Kate Moennig would bring to the picnic you two would have together? Now you know – cigarettes, popcorn, mini-muffins and salsa. At least that’s what she (or maybe Camila Grey) brought to Leisha Hailey’s birthday party. Notably absent: yoplait.
In thumbnail form, I thought Leisha was standing next to a very large kite that she was super excited to have received for her birthday – but no, it’s this very pretty stained glass piece. Perhaps she’d like a kite next year.
Usually I like to include pictures of people or animals, but I have stopped by the bodega and bought a peach every single day this week because I can’t stop thinking about this picture of Lauren Morelli’s peaches. Not a euphemism.
https://instagram.com/p/5IOq7HRx-S/
Carrie Brownstein is back on the set of Transparent as Syd, the only voice of reason in a sea of characters who are mostly awful human beings.
https://instagram.com/p/4-hBMeq6Si/
Brittani Nichols is acting awfully suspicious.
https://instagram.com/p/4959nTmFaP/
I cannot get over the perpetual look on this cat’s face, as though it had just walked in on its parents having sex and can never unsee what it has seen. What secrets does this cat know?
Join us next week, when we’ll find out what other life-size reproductions Miley and Stella climb on top of.
No Filter Celebrates World Cup Victory and Ellen Page Holding a Baby
Welcome back to No Filter, your weekly guide to everything Abby Wambach ordered on her victory pizza. This week, I’m told that some sports happened! Also, there were a lot of fireworks and BBQs. I don’t understand how any of those things work, so I watched Independence Day by myself in my backyard and spent a few contemplative hours looking at celesbian Instagram. Here’s what I found:
We may as well get started with Megan Rapinoe, right?
It’s 10 am, have you thought about babies yet today? Here’s Ellen Page with a baby.
How about Samira Wiley with Lauren Morelli’s dog?
https://instagram.com/p/4qY_XzGFX_/
Same.
https://instagram.com/p/4r9H1VG6GK/
Every time Maritza and Flaca are friends in real life, a kitten gets its wings.
Laverne Cox is working on footage for her Free CeCe McDonald documentary, and seeking out last-minute support for their Indiegogo fundraiser.
https://instagram.com/p/42ymplxA3F/
Transparent season 2 is almost upon us. Namaste. Hey girl, hey.
https://instagram.com/p/4vaONQJYqc/
Ela Darling and her gal pal Arden Sirens celebrated one year of wearing matching outfits and looking like the twins in The Shining.
Probably the biggest story (on my end) of the past week was Miley Cyrus and Stella Maxwell’s suddenly awfully public relationship, which means that the biggest story of the coming week is that Stella is hanging out with Miley’s cats. Instagramming your girlfriend’s cat elevates Stella into an entirely new echelon of gay, and we’re happy to welcome her.
Join us next week, when the ladies of OITNB form a hardscrabble soccer league and take on rival prisons.
Miley Cyrus Makes Out With Nice Young Lady While Wearing Gold Sequins, Also Her #Instapride Campaign Is Legit
Although Gothip Girl has speculated about the state of Miley Cyrus‘ relationship with Victoria’s Secret model Stella Maxwell in the past, we previously determined that the two were more than likely just very good friends. Turns out, they’re such good friends that they swap spit in darkened parking lots outside Hollywood steakhouses, as seen in this video from the highbrow creepster offices of TMZ. We could show you that but instead we’ll show you this picture they took of themselves consensually:
So far no anonymous sources close to the pair have come forwards to confidentially tell a reliable tabloid publication about how absolutely smitten they are with each other or all the reasons why they’re a good match, as per proper Hollywood etiquette. In my imagination, a close friend tells Gothip Girl that the Belgian-born, New Zealand-based model has really put a smile on Miley Cyrus’ face, and that the two are having a blast together. Then the friend gives me a high five and twenty bucks before thanking me for our continued altruistic journalism and our focus on the issues that really matter to readers everywhere.
This has been a big year for Miley Cyrus; she announced in an interview that she’d had significant relationships with women, and also that she didn’t care to define her gender by binary terms. She also launched the Happy Hippie Foundation, whose website declares, “Our mission is to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth and other vulnerable populations.”
Her Instagram has been filled recently with stories of trans and non-binary people whose stories Miley finds inspiring, which helps promote awareness of LGBTQ issues to her 23.4 million followers.
https://instagram.com/p/4XccIBwzNl/?taken-by=mileycyrus
https://instagram.com/p/4UKlndwzOq/?taken-by=mileycyrus
Party in the USA
Also, she and Stella met this pony:
https://instagram.com/p/3nKEMyQzLK/