In light of the growing attacks on LGBTQ+ people — especially the transgender community — that are currently happening in the United States, this year’s GLAAD Media Awards took on a particularly urgent tone on Thursday night. The year was in Beverly Hills, and also the award that brought it all the way to Hollywood.
After Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Lynched kicked off the show, followed by host Margaret Cho celebrating the news of Donald Trump’s indictment, A tournament of its own presenter Will Graham became a reality when accepting the show’s award for outstanding new drama.
Nominated against programs that include Queer as folk, Willow And Sand sellersGraham told the crowd at the Beverly Hilton, “It is very strange to accept this award without commenting on the fact that this show is one of the lucky ones and so many of the shows nominated in this category have canceled or quietly canceled, and that reflects what is happening with the strange stories in our society and in our classrooms.”
“I hope that all of us on this stage and all of us in this room can tell our industry that we are growing audiences. We are not a niche anymore, there are too many of us,” he continued. “The days when you could hold a Pride event and cancel our shows at the same time are over. Gone are the days when you could sit on the sidelines while everyone debated our right to exist. Here we are, our lives matter, our joy matters, and we will remember who stood with us and who stood back at this pivotal moment in our history. .”
In addition to awarding 15 awards to TV shows, movies, musicians, books and journalists who have given fair, accurate and comprehensive representations of LGBTQ people and issues, the event also awarded three special awards for Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera and Jeremy Pope.
Ricky Martin was on hand to present the Vanguard Award to Bad Bunny, praising that “the most streamed artist in history is standing with transgender women and the entire community” and letting “LGBTQ people dance” dance, sing, love life and live authentically. That couldn’t be more important right now.”
Bad Bunny, speaking in Spanish, thanks “the entire LGBTQ community for welcoming me, loving me the way they are, and inspiring me as well.”
“I always say I don’t do anything to expect an award, I don’t make music for an award, I don’t make videos, my looks. [for an award]. I do everything for how I feel and that’s all I did,” the star said. “I believe that following my heart led me to where I am, following my heart brought me here to receive this award, surrounded by such beautiful people. I believe that when you have a kind heart and you give love, that’s what you get in return, and that’s what I’ve wanted to do all this time with my music, with what I stand for. , with my space, with my concerts, with my show, with all that I do, that’s all I want to do. Give and receive love.”
Aguilera, who received the Advocate of Change Award from Michael Anderson, a survivor of the Q Club shooting, said she grew up in the LGBTQ community and that “when we stand together, we’ve grown up together and we’ve grown up together.” learn and teach each other everything about life, from business to relationships. music, family, parties — I don’t know who does it better — and of course, how to blow the trumpet well. We know how to get dirty! when the crowd burst into laughter.
“When you are a victim of violence, abuse or trauma, it is extremely difficult and scary to find your voice and protest. Growing up in a home with domestic violence, witnessing my mother’s helplessness first ignited the fire in me to speak up for all those whose voices were not being heard,” she said. said more. “We all need to speak up if we want to live in a world free of discrimination, hatred and violence. I’m feeling very grateful tonight because for me it’s not about winning an award or getting an honor — although that would be great, thank you — but my bigger purpose is to use the platform. that I have to change my life for the better.”
The Pope ended the evening accepting the Stephen F. Kolzak Prize from Inspection co-star Gabrielle Union, said, “We know we’re the target, our transgender siblings; our rights seem to be at stake and sometimes I find my heart struggling with the thought ‘How do I know that’s going to be okay?’ But it’s rooms like this that remind me of the power of this community, the power of love, how we will again and again rise for each other.”
He continued: “I want you to know that we are beautiful, we were chosen for greatness, we all chose to use our time on this earth to sow the seeds of prosperity and ideas of a better tomorrow for the next generation of warriors.” The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards also featured special performances by Fletcher and Orville Peck, who later performed in memory of the late Leslie Jordan. The show will be available to stream on Hulu starting April 12.
