Thursday, March 14th, was a night for the books. The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. It was a star studded night that honored the hard work and talent of LGBTQ artists across all areas of media.
Hosted by the hilarious Wayne Brady, the evening also featured a multitude of impactful speeches from a variety of icons and activists like Niecy Nash-Betts, Oprah Winfrey, and GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
Ellis was introduced by this year’s Outstanding LGBTQ Music Artist award winner Reneé Rapp. “Living as my authentic self, and as an out lesbian artist, is the most rewarding and validating experience I’ve ever had,” Rapp began. “Thank you GLAAD for helping the world see us as we are. And for anything that has to do with The L – Word.”
In honor of her 10th year at GLAAD, Rapp praised Ellis for all of the incredible work she’s done. “You see Sarah Kate all over CNN and MSNBC pushing back on the disgusting lies that MAGATs tell about us. Seriously…groom this! Sarah Kate speaks to Congress about LGBTQ issues. She works with CEOs in Davos to protect diversity and inclusion. This year she made the TIME100 List, and took center stage at the Primetime Emmys, accepting the Governor’s Award for the work GLAAD has done to queer up TV over the last 40 years.”
She went on to say, “And last year she sat down with Pope Frances at the Vatican as he finally began blessing queer couples. Talk about impact. She is a mother, a wife, a visionary lesbian leader and a champion for LGBTQ folks everywhere.”
Ellis then took the stage and commended Rapp and all the other nominees. After thanking everyone who made the night possible, she started her call to action.
“I want you to imagine that it is Wednesday, November 6th,” she began. “You see the map, the final tally. You see who the next President of the United States will be.”
‘When you see that name, I want you to ask yourself: Will you have done everything you can to ensure our community is still free?” she asked the audience.
This may sound scary, but fortunately, GLAAD has a plan. “We have a plan to supercharge GLAAD’s influence and reach, on every media platform, to get out the LGBTQ vote and build a rainbow wave across America this fall. Just like we did in 2018, 20 and 22, when we brought the most LGBTQ voters ever to the polls, changing the course of history.”
“GLAAD is on the ground fighting back in Oklahoma, Florida, Texas…for LGBTQ youth and allies across the country who are facing book bans, Don’t Say Gay bills, drag bans. Over 500 anti-trans bills have been proposed nationwide this year. And it’s only March. It’s time to get the bullies out. We cannot let up the pressure. We must keep our community moving forward.”
“This is not a fire drill, people. This is the fire,” she warned the audience. “The end of this story is up to you.”
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The audience was brought to their feet after this moving speech and inspired continue this fight for acceptance and equality.
For more highlights from the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, see here. The event will be available for streaming exclusively on Hulu beginning March 29th. The rest of the winners for the GLAAD Media Awards will be announced at the New York ceremony on May 11th, learn more here.