Kim Petras Makes History As The First Transgender Woman To Win A Grammy Award

Published on February 6, 2023 | Published By: Bruce Wayne | In Sexuality

Source: LA Times

Kim Petras became the first transgender woman to win the award for best pop duo/group performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
She dedicated her award to the “transgender legends before her who kicked the doors open for her.”

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Kim Petras made history by becoming the first trans woman to win a Grammy

Sam Smith and Kim Petras, for their viral hit “Unholy,” received the Grammy for outstanding pop or group performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards. Smith handed over the podium to Petras, who gave an acceptance speech as the category’s first trans woman winner.

She dedicated the award to the “transgender legends that kicked these doors open” referring to the late experimental pop producer Sophie, who was nominated for a Grammy before passing away in 2020.

Sam and Kim won the Grammy for their song 'Unholy' — Sam and Kim won the Grammy for their song ‘Unholy’ (Source: Billboard)

She also thanked Madonna for her support of LGBTQ rights and her mother for her assistance with her transition.

Petras isn’t the first transgender artist to win a Grammy, but she is one of the most visible. Wendy Carlos, a composer, earned multiple Grammys in the 1960s, according to Out.

This year, the legendary DJ Honey Dijon has been nominated for a Grammy for her work on Beyoncé’s breakthrough track “Renaissance.” Sam Smith, a nonbinary artist, earned their first Grammy in 2015.

Petras’ historic Grammy acceptance speech

Sam Smith handed over the podium to Kim Petras for the acceptance speech as the category’s first trans winner. She began her speech by thanking ‘transgender legends’:

“I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who’ve kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight — Sophie, especially. My friend who passed away two years ago told me this would happen and always believed in me. Thank you so much for your inspiration, Sophie. I adore you, and your inspiration will forever be in my music.”

She also thanked pop legend Madonna “for fighting for LGBTQ rights” and her mother who always believed in her.

Kim then went on to thank Sam Smith:

“Sam, thank you. You’re a true angel and hero in my life, and I love you. And everyone who made the song too! I love you guys so much. Sorry I didn’t write down the names. I love you.”

Petras and Sam Smith accepting their Grammy (Source: Variety)

Kim also went on to elaborate on what the win meant to her in the Grammys press room:

“All these years are going through my head of people saying I’d be a niche artist because I’m transgender, and my music would only ever play in gay clubs — and what’s wrong with that, because I love gay clubs — but now I got a Grammy for making gay club music with my friend. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Petras once again took time and thanked Sam for being “a very special friend and supporter”. She continued:

“In the very beginning of my career, Sam reached out and said, ‘I’m inspired by you, and I’d love to make a song with you eventually.’ It took us a lot of songs we sent back and forth that weren’t the right fit, and finally ‘Unholy’ came along, and we both felt like this was our little baby.”

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