On Saturday, May 4 in New York City, the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards recognized a variety of media for its fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community this past year.
GLAAD is the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and the evening honored recipients for the remaining 13 of this year’s 27 categories at a star-studded ceremony at the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan.
Without a doubt, Madonna topped the bill, receiving the Advocate for Change Award presented by Anderson Cooper, Rosie O’Donnell and Mykki Blanco. In her acceptance speech, Madonna acknowledged that she has been a role model for gay people since her film Truth Or Dare, and while, she said, she was “horrified by my brattiness” she understood that she inspired many people to be themselves.
She described her long career as a combination of “freedom fighting” and “getting my ass kicked,” and she pledged that she will continue to fight for all marginalized people.
Madonna described going to Malawi 14 years ago when she heard that the African country was in the grips of an AIDS epidemic and a million children were orphaned. It was like history repeating itself she said, so in “the warm heart of Africa” she began advocating for change.
While there, she adopted four (of her six) children. Tearing up, Madonna shared how grief and loss have brought her to love, which has brought her to understand what it means to be a human being. “It is every human’s duty to fight, to advocate, to do whatever we can and whatever it takes,” she said.
Other highlights included Andy Cohen receiving the Vito Russo Award from Sarah Jessica Parker; Full Frontal with Samantha Bee received the Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode for “Trans Rights Under Attack”, presented to Samantha Bee by Adam Rippon and Lilly Singh; and Outstanding Music Artist went to Janelle Monáe for Dirty Computer.
Tony Award nominee Caitlin Kinnunen sang a moving song from the LGBTQ-themed hit Broadway musical The Prom.
Lesbian journalism was honored this year: Outstanding Blog went to Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, and Outstanding Digital Journalism – Video or Multimedia went to “March for Our Lives and LGBT activism. ‘They’re definitely linked for me,’ says Emma González” by Beth Greenfield (Yahoo! Lifestyle). Other awards highlighting issues faced by queer women included Outstanding Comedy Series: Vida (Starz), and Special Recognition: Nanette (Netflix).
GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis reiterated the organization’s role in highlighting the individuals who use their media platform and role to “celebrate the unique and dynamic stories of LGBTQ people and accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.”
The 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were presented by Delta Air Lines, Gilead, Hyundai, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, and Wells Fargo. At the event, guests sipped a variety of Ketel One vodka cocktails and celebrities wore GLAAD’s signature “&” pins, symbolizing GLAAD’s Together movement that advocates for solidarity between diverse marginalized groups: LGBTQ, women, Muslims, people of color, and immigrants.