Watch: Out Producer Greg Berlanti Shouts Out at Emmys for Queer Representation on TV

In an acceptance speech at the Emmys, out producer Greg Berlanti remembered a childhood with one TV and zero LGBTQ+ representation. As an adult, and a top producer, he's changing that.

Berlanti, the Los Angeles Times reported, "was presented the Governors Award at Sunday's [Sept. 15] Emmys ceremony."

"The award is given to creators who make a 'profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution' to television," the LA Times noted – a description that fits Berlanti's contributions to a T.

Berlanti, dressed in a light gray tuxedo that almost looked silver at moments, began his acceptance speech with a note of thanks to presenters Matt Bomer and Joshua Jackson. The former, the Times noted, starred last year in the miniseries "Fellow Travelers," Ron Nyswaner's adaptation of the Thomas Mallon novel that centers on two gay civil servants at the height of the so-called "Lavender Scare," when the federal government was being purged of anyone suspected of being queer.

Berlanti's husband, Robbie Rogers, executive produced "Fellow Travelers," while Berlanti was a producer on "Dawson's Creek," the 1990s teen drama on which Jackson starred. From there he went on to create and executive produce "Everwood," as well produce a number of TV versions of DC comic books (the so-called "Arrowverse" shows).

Berlanti has also produced gay-themed projects such as the film version of "Love, Simon" (which he also directed), the film version of the gay rom-com "Red, White and Royal Blue," the Ron Nyswaner-written gay romance "My Policeman" (which starred Harry Styles), and the Netflix series "Dead Boy Detectives."

Recalling that "the one color TV our family could afford was on around the clock in our house, and I watched and loved all of it," Berlanti also revealed a lifelong love for producing TV shows ("I wanted to be a part of television even before I knew how that was possible"), but added that when he was a "closeted gay kid" there was virtually no representation for queer people on television. Berlanti told his listeners, "it's hard to describe how lonely that was at the time."

When he did see gay men on TV, it was due to something less pleasant than a sitcom or televised drama. Gay men had come out of the shadows to protest their treatment as the AIDS crisis ravaged the queer community, and, Berlanti recalled, he saw men "holding hands with other men, marching and fighting for their lives."

It was a grim time, but, Berlanti said, "They gave me hope that I might one day have their courage to come out and share my truth with the world."

So he has: Deadline noted that "Berlanti has been a leader and voice for inclusion in the entertainment industry, both on screen and behind the camera. He helped introduce a gay character on a primetime TV show and the first same-sex kiss between two men with 'Dawson's Creek.'"

"That was followed by the first gay superhero to headline a TV series ('Freedom Fighters: The Ray')," Deadline added, along with "the first transgender recurring character on TV and first legal gay marriage on network TV ('Dirty Sexy Money'), the first transgender superhero on TV ('Supergirl'), the first lesbian superhero to headline a television show ('Batwoman'), and the first single gay lead in a U.S. medical drama ('Brilliant Minds')."

"[W]hen I think about how much the world had to change to make the life I'm living now possible, even in hindsight, it's unimaginable to me," Berlanti said.

Berlanti mentioned his two children, "Caleb and Mia," as well as his "soulmate, my husband, Robbie Rogers," and then made it even more of a family affair by giving props to his late mother.

"We lost my mom several years ago to cancer, but the belief she had in me still lingers on long after she's gone," Berlanti said, growing emotional. "That's how powerful belief is, and her belief travels through me and out to all of the kids out there who today may feel alone or other or scared to share their truth with the world."

"If my mom were here, she would want you to know that you are loved and you are worthy and you have a story to tell, and we need those stories now more than ever," Berlanti added for the queer youth watching at home. "She believes in you, and I do too, so hurry up to get here."

Watch Berlanti's speech below.