Last night’s GLAAD Media Awards had some fun surprises in store.
‘Mean Girls’ hosted the entire night. When star Jonathan Bennett appeared at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Thursday, the audience was alerted to the fact that a mystery guest would appear. By the end of the night it turned out to be none other than ‘Cabaret’ Star and queer icon Liza Minnelli attended the newly launched Liza Minnelli Storyteller Award ceremony.
An emotional Minnelli told the crowd of gay attendees and creators: “You make me so proud because you’re so strong and you stand up for what you believe in. You really do and I’m so happy to be here. I feel like a 5-year-old!” Everyone then joined in on a happy birthday celebration to celebrate Minnelli’s birthday on March 12 and the release of her upcoming memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!
Another moment when the audience stood up and cheered was during “Orange Is the New Black.” Star Laverne Cox took to the stage and said, “What’s happening in the United States of America right now is not right.”
“I’ve said it before: Recognize what dehumanizing language and imagery is. Don’t call it out loud and disagree with it. A lot of my struggle over the past few years has been… [has been] I’m trying to find a way to rhetorically counter this attack on my community. I don’t want to talk about my life or my humanity for the oppressor’s convenience. ”
This message was echoed by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers when they accepted the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for “Las Culturistas.” In a podcast, he pledged to donate $10,000 to Equality Kansas after Kansas revoked a transgender driver’s license. “I cannot accept this award without condemning the rampant and active transphobia of this administration,” Rogers said. “We’re also here to let them know in advance that they’re fighting a losing battle. When you get together in a room like this, you always have each other’s backs.”
Some of last night’s big winners included ‘Heat Rivalry’ For the excellent new TV series “The Traitors” Great reality competition program “Stranger Things” For the excellent drama series “Palm Royale” (which was just canceled after two seasons) was tied for Outstanding Comedy Series, Come See Me in the Good Light was tied for Outstanding Documentary, Kiss of the Spider Woman was tied for Outstanding Wide Theatrical Release Movie, and A Nice Indian Boy and Plainclothes were tied for Outstanding Limited Theatrical Release Movie.
Quinta Branson won the Vanguard Award for her role in the hit TV series “Abbott Elementary,” which stars the openly gay Jacob, played by Chris Perfetti. Branson said, “Queer people have been a part of my life since I was born. I have to give a shout out to my uncle… He was the first representation of queer people in my life and he set me free. There are so many people in this room who have changed my life.”
On the music side, Young Miko won the award for Outstanding Music Artist and KATSEYE won the Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. Demi Lovato opened the show with a passionate performance of her single “Kiss.”
The GLAAD Media Awards will officially air on Hulu on Saturday, March 21st.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
