On Thursday, March 14th, PRWeek hosted their 25th annual awards ceremony to celebrate excellence in the field of communications and public relations. A PRWeek Award is a unique symbol of excellence, leadership and immediately sets victors apart from all others. It celebrates the best of the best corporate, agency, nonprofit and education teams, and the work they produce.
This year, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis was given the honor of being named Communicator of the Year.
On her work to earn this honor, PRWeek stated that, “Sarah Kate Ellis has been a fearless and outspoken advocate for LGBTQ people throughout her career. And during this awards period, she brought her work to improve media representation of the queer community to some of the world’s largest stages. That includes accepting the Governors Award at the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and making the 2023 Time100 ranking as one of the world’s most influential people. Whether addressing industry executives in Cannes, France, or international leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she continues to be a tireless advocate for the LGTBQ community.”
Actress, singer, activist, and GLAAD Board Member Peppermint accepted the award on behalf of Ellis while she attended the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.
“You might know me from Broadway or some little shows called Traitors and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Well tonight I’m here to remind you I’m known for something else too: my advocacy work,” Peppermint said in her speech. “GLAAD’s work brings visibility, and with visibility comes change. The campaigns you all in this room create, the stories you tell, have the power to change hearts and minds at critical time.”
Peppermint went on to say that, “Transgender people like me are under attack every day– attacks levied on us by Presidential candidates and elected officials, school board members, and schoolyard bullies. These attacks work on some people because they simply haven’t met a trans person, and just aren’t sure what to think. Well you all just met me, so now you know a trans person.”
To close, she stated, “And now you know GLAAD: GLAAD can help superpower your brands to make sure that the stories you’re telling about our community are stories you’re telling WITH our community, and stories that will make a difference.”
In addition to Peppermint’s speech, Ellis recorded an acceptance speech in advance, thanking Steve Barrett and PRWeek for the incredible honor. In her speech she stated, “The work you lead to spotlight DEI in the industry is so critical today. I wish I could be there with you tonight because I know what a beautiful night it is AND I love being in rooms with people who know the power of media.”
She went on to explain, “GLAAD was founded nearly 40 years ago in 1985. Our founders had a vision that if we use media to humanize LGBTQ lives and correct misinformation about who we are, acceptance would grow.”
She concluded by saying, “Change begins with stories. Stories change lives, they SAVE lives. As I accept this award, I invite all of you to join GLAAD in boldly telling stories of hope, humanity, and that make a better world for all.”
For more on the PRWeek Awards, see here.