Qween Jean Makes History as First Openly Trans Person to Win Tony Award for Costume Design

Designer Qween Jean has made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award, securing the prize for Best Costume Design in a Musical for their work on "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" at the 2026 Tony Awards.

Accepting the award, Jean, dressed in lilac, delivered a powerful message of pride and resilience. "This experience has been monumental," Jean stated from the stage. "We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We have to occupy our space. We have to change the paradigm."

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This experience has been monumental. We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people. We have to occupy our space. We have to change the paradigm.

Jean, also a prominent activist and founder of the Black Trans Liberation organization, highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by various communities in the United States. "The world is currently deeply, deeply battling so many ailments, and we know as a society that when we come together, we can make real and lasting change," they added.

This historic win marks a significant milestone for transgender representation on Broadway. While non-binary artists have achieved recognition at the Tonys in recent years, Jean's victory is a notable advancement for the trans community within the prestigious theater awards.

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The world is currently deeply, deeply battling so many ailments, and we know as a society that when we come together, we can make real and lasting change.