GLAAD ANNOUNCES DAZZLING LINEUP OF LGBTQ CHANGEMAKERS AND ALLIES APPEARING AT 36TH GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS

LGBTQ CHANGEMAKERS AND ALLIES APPEARING AT THE 36TH GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS INCLUDE: COOPER KOCH, DOECHII, DYLAN EFRON, HANNAH EINBINDER, JANELLE JAMES, JOE LOCKE, JOSHUA JACKSON, KEKE PALMER, LISA ANN WALTER, MAREN MORRIS, NAVA MAU, PATTI LUPONE AND MORE

AWARDS CEREMONY TO PREMIERE ON HULU APRIL 12

GLAAD ANNOUNCES AUSTINSHOW TO STREAM LIVE ON TWITCH FROM THE 36TH GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS RED CARPET

THE 36TH GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS TO BE HOSTED BY MICHAEL URIE AND HONOR CYNTHIA ERIVO WITH GLAAD’S STEPHEN F. KOLZAK AWARD TAKING PLACE ON MARCH 27 IN LOS ANGELES 

THE 36TH GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY TO FEATURE A LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY GRAMMY-NOMINATED DURAND BERNARR PRESENTED BY HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Los Angeles, CA – March 13, 2025 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced celebrity guests confirmed to attend the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 27, 2025, as well as streamer and creator, AustinShow, set to steam live on Twitch from the red carpet.

For the fifth consecutive year, Hulu will return as the event’s official streaming destination, continuing its support of LGBTQ stories and storytellers year-round. A special presentation of the Los Angeles ceremony will premiere on the platform beginning April 12.

Hosted by Michael Urie, LGBTQ changemakers and allies attending will include Glennon Doyle & Abby Wambach (We Can Do Hard Things), Alix Traeger (Author/Creator), AustinShow (YouTuber), Brandon Scott Jones (Ghosts), Brian Michael Smith (9-1-1: Lone Star), B.J. Britt (The Groomsmen: Second Chances.), Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks), Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs), Doechii (Grammy winner), Dylan Efron (The Traitors), Durand Bernarr (Grammy nominated singer), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks),  Heather Dubrow (The Real Housewives of Orange County), Jac Schaeffer (Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along), Janelle James (Abbott Elementary), Jay Shetty (On Purpose with Jay Shetty), Jaymes Vaughan (The Real Friends of WeHo, musician), Joe Locke (Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along), Johnny Sibilly (Hacks), Jonathan Bennett (The Groomsmen: Second Chances, Finding Mr. Christmas), Joshua Jackson (Doctor Odyssey), Keke Palmer (Baby, This Is Keke Palmer), Khalen Saunders (New Orleans Saint`s), Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary) Mal Glowenke (Made It Out), Maren Morris (Grammy winner), Marco Pigossi & Marco Calvani (High Tide), Marissa Bode (Wicked), Mark Indelicato (Hacks), Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer), Nico Santos (The Z-Suite), Patti LuPone (Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along), Paul W. Downs (Hacks), Racquel Chevremont (The Real Housewives of New York City), Rodrigo Reyes (Southern Charm), Ronen Rubinstein (9-1-1: Lone Star), cast members from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sasheer Zamata (Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along), Tig Notaro (Am I OK?), Tracy E. Gilchrist (Out and The Advocate), Tyler Hynes (The Groomsmen: Second Chances), Vincent Rodriguez III (The Groomsmen: Second Chances), and Zoya Biglary (Founder/Creator) with more to be announced.

The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.

The evening will feature an exciting onstage reunion with Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward from video game favorite “The Last of Us Part II” for a special moment to celebrate LGBTQ inclusion in video games and to recognize the award recipient for Outstanding Video Game.

As previously announced, Cynthia Erivo, will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards for making a  significant difference in raising visibility and promoting the acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.

The 36th GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles official afterparty, sponsored by Hyundai Motor America,  will feature a live musical performance by GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and creative force Durand Bernarr. Bernarr is also nominated for GLAAD’s Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist.

Nominees for the 36th GLAAD Media Awards reflect work published, released, or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

About Durand Bernarr

Erykah Badu. Kaytranada. Anderson .Paak. The Internet. Teedra Moses. They all have one thing in common—they’ve been blessed by the vocal brilliance and singular artistry of Durand Bernarr.

The GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and creative force is redefining the landscape of progressive R&B. His presence in music is a masterclass in vocal dexterity, stage command, and fearless individuality. With a style that seamlessly fuses funk, soul, and avant-garde artistry, Durand has cemented himself as an artist without boundaries.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Durand was immersed in music from a young age. Raised in a household where music was both a passion and a profession, his father, an audio engineer, and his mother, a vocal coach, exposed him to a wide range of sounds and techniques. By the age of 16, Durand’s innate talent had already led him to work as a production assistant for Earth, Wind & Fire, a formative experience that laid the foundation for his future career. His upbringing fostered a deep understanding of both the technical and emotional power of music, leading to a career that blends rich harmonies with innovative soundscapes.

Durand first made waves in the early 2010s, gaining a cult following through his viral covers, which showcased his soaring range and unparalleled interpretative skills. His breakout moment arrived in 2016 with the release of Sound Check, a project that established his signature sound. Then came DUR& (2020), a critically acclaimed album featuring collaborations with Ari Lennox, Anna Wise, and Kaytranada, which solidified him as a creative powerhouse in the independent R&B space.

Durand’s artistry has continued to evolve, with the release of Wanderlust and the GRAMMY-nominated En Route, which earned a nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards. He also garnered a Grammy participation certificate for his feature on Kaytranada’s “Weird” from Timeless, which contributed to the album’s nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. His ability to cross genres and bring his distinct sound to various musical worlds has made him a force in modern R&B and electronic music.

In 2023, Durand partnered with rising producer and songwriter duo Charlie Vettuno to release Charlie Vettuno Presents…Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?!, an EP that marks the second creative pit stop between his sophomore album Wanderlust and the highly anticipated BLOOM. This collaboration highlights his continuous exploration of new sounds and collaborations, further pushing the boundaries of his musical identity.

Durand’s live performances are nothing short of legendary. Whether gracing the stages of Afropunk, Bonnaroo, Essence Festival, or headlining his own Wanderlust Tour and Step Into My Office Tour, he brings a level of showmanship rarely seen in today’s industry. His electrifying Tiny Desk Concert in 2023 became an instant viral moment, while his work behind the scenes—co-directing and singing background vocals for Teedra Moses’s Tiny Desk performance—further displayed his multifaceted artistry.

Now, with the release of his third studio album BLOOM, Durand is stepping into his most personal and intentional era yet. BLOOM is a heartfelt tribute to the love that exists beyond romance—the love found in friendship, self-discovery, and the communities that help us grow. “Through a fusion of music and personal reflection, I am honoring the bonds that have shaped my journey, the tribe that continuously pours into me, and the freedom to nurture spaces where love flourishes.” The album’s lead single, Impact, offers a glimpse into the emotional depth and sonic evolution of this next chapter. An artist’s artist, a showman’s showman, and a creative force that refuses to be boxed in—Durand Bernarr is here to stay.

Earlier this year, GLAAD announced nearly 303 culture-changing nominees across 33 categories, honoring outstanding fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues in film, television, gaming, publishing, stage productions, music, podcasting, journalism, and more. A tip sheet with a breakdown of nominations by media and trends among the nominees is available at: www.glaad.org/releases.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THE 36th GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS

The GLAAD Media Awards ceremony, which powers GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance and visibility in media all year round, will be held this year in Los Angeles.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis serves as Executive Producer of the 36th GLAAD Media Awards, alongside GLAAD’s Rich Ferraro and Anthony Allen Ramos. GLAAD’s Tony Morrison will serve as Supervising Producer and Jose Useche will serve as Producer. The ceremony is produced in partnership with STAMP Event Co.

Tag and follow #GLAADawards and @glaad for updates and reactions from nominees.

The 36th GLAAD Media Awards are presented by: Presenting Sponsor Hyundai Motor America; Major Sponsors Hornitos Tequila and Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Official Sponsors Delta Air Lines and Sony Music Group. After Party sponsored by Hyundai Motor America. Hulu returns as the official streaming destination for the 36th GLAAD Media Awards.

For more information on how to become a corporate sponsor or to purchase company tables, please contact partnerships@glaad.org

Visit the GLAAD Media Awards homepage for more information and to see the nominees..

Working journalists may apply for red carpet credentials HERE.

Publicists may apply for red carpet credentials HERE.

A Spanish-Language announcement of nominations, can be found HERE

The Digital Press Kit, including social media assets for nominees and journalists is HERE