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13 of the Most Talked About LGBT Moments of 2016

Young M.A.'s hip-hop takeover, Beyoncé's "Formation" features and more.

2016 has turned out to be a huge year for the LGBT community, both directly and indirectly. Some of our favorite LGBT-identifying celebs like Laverne Cox and Frank Ocean slayed in their own ways while some of our favorite allies like Beyoncé gave LGBT icons a huge platform to shine. Take a look at 13 of the most talked about LGBT moments of the year.

  1. Laverne Cox Reigns in 'Lip Sync Battle' and 'Doubt'

    (Photo: Trae Patton Spike/Viacom)

    Trae Patton Spike/Viacom

    (Photo: Trae Patton Spike/Viacom)

    If you thought 2015 was the end of Laverne Cox's reign, think again. The actress went above and beyond in Orange Is the New Black this year, booking a regular spot on the TV series Doubt, and starring in the modern revival of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. To top things off, she slayed a routine to Destiny's Child hit "Lose My Breath" on Lip Sync Battle.

  2. Deray McKesson is out and woke

    (Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images for LinkedIn)

    Joe Kohen/Getty Images for LinkedIn

    (Photo: Joe Kohen/Getty Images for LinkedIn)

    There are various LGBT-identifying faces linked to the Black Lives Matter movement, but arguably the most visible is Deray Mckesson, who opened up about being Black and gay in April. Not only did he speak on his sexuality, but he also ran for mayor of Baltimore and was even arrested while protesting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in July.

  3. The massive success of 'Moonlight'

    (Photo: A24)

    A24

    (Photo: A24)

    Moonlight was arguably the dark horse of the year, premiering in select theaters in October before its wide release in November. Since its premiere, the powerful coming-of-age film racked up countless awards and noms. Of the most noteworthy, six Golden Globe Nominations, three SAG awards and more than 15 wins thus far. It's only just the beginning for this amazing film.

  4. Sade’s son comes out as transgender

    Legendary singer Sade's child, Mickailia, came out as a transgender man in October. He chose Instagram to make his debut as a trans man, writing, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life." He also added a few hashtags like #transman #selfmademan and #proud.  

  5. 'Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church' has an epic year

    (Photo: BET)

    BET

    (Photo: BET)

    The BET.com original documentary by Clay Cane, Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church, broke boundaries in 2015 and just kept going the following year. In 2016, the doc was screened at the White House during Black History Month. In addition, the doc received a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outsanding Digital Journalism. You can watch the doc in full here!

  6. GLAAD Awards embraces diversity in its diverse 2016 nominees

    (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for GLAAD)

    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for GLAAD

    (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for GLAAD)

    #OscarsSoWhite may have received some major attention for its lack of diversity during the Academy Awards last roundup of nominees, but the GLAAD Awards did the opposite, embracing the beauty in the diversity of its nominees. The nominees included not only LGBT-identifying actors, directors and media personalities, but they also varied in terms of race, nationality and gender.

  7. Outpouring of support following the Orlando shooting

    (Photo: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

    Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

    (Photo: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

    Arguably the most somber moment of 2016 remains the Orlando nightclub shooting, which took place on June 12, 2016. A 29-year-old security guard walked into Pulse nightclub and killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in the hate crime. In the days following the massacre, an outpouring of love came from the public and celebrities alike. The Human Rights Campaign also created a video featuring various celebrities honoring the 49 deceased victims.

  8. Beyoncé recruits Big Freedia and Messy Mya for 'Formation'

    (Photo from left: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images For FUSE Media, Lamparski/WireImage, Messy Mya via Facebook)

    Photo from left: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images For FUSE Media

    (Photo from left: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images For FUSE Media, Lamparski/WireImage, Messy Mya via Facebook)

    Beyoncé undoubtedly took over 2016 with her smash hit "Formation" and its parent album, Lemonade, and while Queen Bey's sting is just as lethal on its own, it would be a lie to say it wasn't elevated with the help of LGBT icons Big Freedia and the late Messy Mya. Both of their voices are featured in the iconic video for the song, which premiered in February, and Freedia even appeared during the opening for the final show of Bey's Formation World Tour this year.

  9. University of Iowa now more inclusive in 'gender' section of its applications

    (Photo: dosecreative/Getty Images)

    (Photo: dosecreative/Getty Images)

    (Photo: dosecreative/Getty Images)

    The University of Iowa made a leap towards inclusivness this year in July as they've added more pronouns to the "gender" section of their applications. This addition will allow transgender students to be properly identified and represented.

  10. There was a record number of LGBT athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics

     (Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

    Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

    (Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

    The LGBT community was heavily represented at the Rio 2016 Olympics. According to the Human Rights campaign, there were at least 41 openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Olympians this year. This is a massive rise from the 23 that participated in the last games in 2012 in London. In addition to the LGBT representation among the athletes, Rio 2016 also became the first time a transgender model, Lea T, participated at an Opening Ceremony.

  11. Mike Pence's neighbors put up LGBTQ pride flags in protest against his policies

    (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

    John Moore/Getty Images

    (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

    Mike Pence may be the new vice president-elect, but that doesn't mean those around him share his views. The conservative's neighbors in Washington, D.C., raised gay pride flags all throughout their neighborhood as a statement earlier this month to show him that they're not here for the hate. He's been on record in the past as being vocally anti-LGBTQ, including signing an Indiana law allowing businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers to protect the businesses' "religious freedom," among other things.

  12. Young MA becomes hip-hop's breakout star

    (Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for iHeart- Power 105.1)

    Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for iHeart- Power 105.1

    (Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for iHeart- Power 105.1)

    It was hard to go anywhere in 2016 and not hear Young M.A.'s first official single, "Oooouuu." The song peaked at No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was not only a big deal as she is a female rapper, but also because she is the only openly gay female rapper to do so. Though the song attracted various label interests, M.A. chose to remain independent. She also told Vogue magazine that she's proud of her LGBT identification, saying, "I held in being sexually attracted to women for so long that once I got that out of me, the music became easy."

  13. Frank Ocean says Prince helped him accept his sexuality

    (Photo: Tyler Kaufman/FilmMagic)

    Photo: Tyler Kaufman/FilmMagic

    (Photo: Tyler Kaufman/FilmMagic)

    Many were affected by Prince's untimely death earlier this year, but Frank Ocean explained in a Tumblr piece tributing the late legend that he touched him way beyond music. In April, the "Nikes" rapper/singer said the Purple One helped him come to terms with his own sexuality with his gender non-conforming attitude and style. "He was a straight Black man who played his first televised set in bikini bottoms and knee high heeled boots, epic," he wrote. "He made me feel more comfortable with how I identify sexually simply by display of freedom and irreverence for obviously archaic ideas like gender conformity."

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