“I’m so proud to be standing here as a Black queer artist telling stories,” she told the audience at the Dolby Theatre. “Happy Black History Month!”

Monáe began the Oscars with a rendition of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” a reference to the Tom Hanks starrer of the same name, complete with a red cardigan.

Billy Porter, the gay Pose star, also appeared on stage in a golden ensemble to sing with Monáe, and also gave a rendition of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.”

Watch it below.