During the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, bi talk show host and comedian Lilly Singh presented the award for Outstanding Magazine Article to activist and media strategist Raquel Willis for her Out Magazine article “The Trans Obituaries Project.”
Watch Raquel’s acceptance speech below:
During her speech, Raquel speaks about how this project was created to “humanize and honor the stories of the transgender women of color we lost to senseless violence in 2019.” Throughout the speech, Raquel talks about the importance of recognizing and uplifting the work and expertise of Black and Brown trans activists on the ground who are working to create solutions to end this epidemic of violence.
Raquel Willis is a Black transgender activist, award-winning writer, and media strategist dedicated to elevating the dignity of marginalized people, particularly Black transgender people. She is the Director of Communications for the Ms. Foundation. She is the former executive editor of Out magazine and a former national organizer for Transgender Law Center (TLC).
Other nominees for Outstanding Magazine Article at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards included: “2019 Sportsperson of the Year: Megan Rapinoe” by Jenny Vrentas (Sports Illustrated); “In Her Element: Geena Rocero” by Geena Rocero (Playboy); “Indya Moore Just Wants to Be Free” by Jada Yuan (ELLE); and “Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s Unlikely, Untested, Unprecedented Presidential Campaign” by Charlotte Alter (TIME).
The 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards will air on Logo on Monday, August 3 at 8pm ET.
The 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Gilead, P&G, and Wells Fargo. GLAAD is also grateful to: Major Partners The Ariadne Getty Foundation and Skittles; Titanium Partners Bud Light, Kaiser Permanente, NBA/WNBA, Netflix, PwC, Signet Jewelers; and Gold Partners Coca-Cola, MLB, Nickelodeon, and Nielsen. Special Thanks to Accenture.