SNL’s cold open is the queer pandering we deserve

SNL managed to appropriately skewer the political horserace of Democratic candidates gunning for the gay vote in this week’s cold open.

This week’s Saturday Night Live cold open reminds us how quickly things can change in a few years. It was a little more than a decade ago that taking political positions in favor of marriage equality was deemed a bad play for major presidential candidates.

And now, after the hard work of many activists, LGBTQ+ rights have become a more prominent issue in the 2020 election, garnering a dedicated CNN Town Hall this past Thursday.

For many queer people, it is an odd moment of recognition to finally be pandered to as a voting block like many other constituencies. The Town Hall arrived at a timely moment with the Supreme Court hearing open arguments to determine whether an individual can be fired for their sexual orientation and National Coming Out Day all occurring in the same week.

While the comedy in the actual Town Hall was few and far between, SNL managed to appropriately skewer the political horserace of Democratic candidates gunning for the gay vote in this week’s cold open with the help of none other than Pose‘s Emmy-winning Billy Porter to announce the candidates and throw a little shade.

Watch the SNL cold open here:

The cold open is worth watching, even if it’s for nothing other than to see Billy Porter’s amazing Swarovski-bedazzled glasses. But the wealth of cameos is also pretty great.

Elizabeth Warren had a pretty great night at the Town Hall, but gay heartthrob Kate McKinnon may have had an even better time playing her. Without spoiling it, McKinnon’s performance is truly wig-snatching.

This sketch has it all:  Lin-Manuel Miranda as a very earnest Julian Castro, Woody Harrelson as an appropriately creepy and out-of-touch Joe Biden, and even an opportune Ellen joke.

So, thank you, SNL, for giving us the queer pandering we deserve (though next time, less Jost and more McKinnon, please and thank you). You have my vote.

What did you think of SNL‘s cold open this week? Sound off in the comments below.