A history of Steven Colbert’s LGBTQ+ allyship as last Late Show airs
Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show has been a place for LGBTQ+ allyship. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)
After 33 years, Stephen Colbert hosted the last episode of The Late Show on Thursday (21 May) night.
The Late Show’s final instalment comes after Colbert criticised the network’s parent company, Paramount, over a $16million settlement with President Donald Trump. The final show saw the 62-year-old host welcome a plethora of guests, including Paul McCartney and Tig Notaro.
Always one to stand on his morals, Colbert has also used his show as a vessel for LGBTQ+ allyship.
Here are some of the show hosts’ most memorable moments of allyship:
Pride Month News Parade
Throughout the years, Colbert has repeatedly shown up as a vocal LGBTQ+ ally.
His annual ‘Pride Month News Parade’ on The Late Show to celebrate Pride Month is just one example.
The segment saw Colbert celebrate uplifting LGBTQ+ stories and spotlight important moments in queer culture.
Throughout the years, the ‘Pride Month News Parade’ has been a reminder of seeking out positive news amongst a sea of anti-LGBTQ+ negativity.
The Pedro Pascal kiss
Earlier this month, Colbert and actor Pedro Pascal locked lips. The viral moment occurred when Pascal asked for a cheek kiss from Colbert after becoming jealous of Colbert kissing Jimmy Fallon the night prior.
Pascal pointed to his lips before Colbert leaned in and met him. “I got jealous,” the actor told the host.
Many online responded enthusiastically, one commenting: “Colbert is having so much fun kissing the fine men on this show. First it was Andrew Garfield now Daddy Pedro.”
Supporting same-sex marriage
Over a decade ago, Colbert utilised his show’s popularity to spotlight same-sex marriage.
During the broadcast, Colbert highlighted then-Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s oppositional stance to gay marriage.
The host said: “I believe we all must respect Walker’s privacy at this difficult time to be against gay marriage.
“This is a personal matter between him and his pollster. It is none of the public’s business what Walker decides in the privacy of his own governor’s mansion.”
This spotlighting of the topic came one year before marriage equality was legalised in the US. It’s a showcase of Colbert’s commitment to being on the right side of history.
Standing up for trans youth
Throughout the history of The Late Show with Colbert, the show has featured numerous LGBTQ+ guests. One of which was then-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
In 2021, the interview with Colbert and Buttigieg included a discussion about the attack on LGBTQ+ people, especially trans youth.
“These kids have the courage to be who they are, and they just want to be accepted and go to the bathroom like everybody else, and play sports like everybody else,” Buttigieg said.
The conversation highlighted the very real risk of anti-trans legislation and the waves of hurt such bills can cause.
Using the show as a platform to defend trans youth, Colbert has proved himself a valiant ally.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
