Alan Cumming pays homage to the trans community as he accepts Emmy for The Traitors

Actor and The Traitors US host Alan Cumming paid tribute to the trans community as he accepted an Emmy Award for Best Reality Competition Programme yesterday (14 September).

The Traitors snatched the win from under the nose of RuPaul’s Drag Race – for the second year in a row.

Accepting the award on behalf of The Traitors production, Cumming, who is bisexual, wore a ‘Not a Phase’ pin showing the colours of the trans pride flag.

“Trans people in this country are being persecuted so unecessarily” – Alan Cumming on trans rights at the Emmy Awards

On the red carpet, he told Variety: “It’s got trans colours, and it says ‘Not a Phase’, because [being trans] is not.”

He continued: “I just feel that when you come to things like this, you’re here to celebrate your work… but to do something decorative that also draws attention to something you actually feel is much more important than all of this, that’s why I do it.”

Cumming explained his pin for Not a Phase, which raises money for trans people: “I have a duty to speak out for people who are less fortunate than me. Especially right now, as trans people in this country are being persecuted so unecessarily.” 

Alan Cumming explains his pin for Not a Phase, which raises money for trans people: "I have a duty to speak out for people who are less fortunate than me. Especially right now, as trans people in this country are persecuted." https://t.co/YotjgEvPzj pic.twitter.com/BTqnu7ekHN

— Variety (@Variety) September 14, 2025

“It’s a difficult time we live in” – Cumming accepting the Emmy for The Traitors US

During his acceptance speech, he thanked the crew and reflected on the current political climate: “Thank you to our crazy cast and our crew in Scotland… It’s a difficult time we live in, but it is so great that our show brings a little bit of joy into this life. Talking of joy, thank you [to my husband] Grant Shaffer, who brings joy into my life every single day. Thank you so much.”

After accepting the Emmy for Best Reality Competition Programme, Cumming was asked backstage in the press room who he thinks should join the show, unexpectedly naming Donald Trump.

“I’m sure our president would be very good on the show… having a lot of chaos and sort of turmoil and treachery, so maybe he’d like to come on and be paid for that, probably better than he gets as president,” the host responded.

“I believe real-life superheroes walk among us” – Cumming on the trans community

This is not the first time the 60-year-old has spoken out about Trump or the rights of trans people.

In July, during a guest-host appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actor drew attention to the growing political discourse surrounding the trans community.

The show featured special guests including Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. On the topic of superheroes, the actor said: “These superhero movies are pretend,” Cumming said, “but I believe real-life superheroes walk among us – and they are called trans people.

Cumming is also set to appear in Channel 4’s upcoming drama Tip Toe, written by Russell T Davies, alongside David Morrissey in a leading role.