Thursday, March 27th, was a night of celebration and unity. The 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and was sure to be a night to remember.
Host Michael Urie, dressed in a stunning Wicked inspired suit by Christian Siriano, kicked off the night with a hilarious opening monologue. “Tonight we give flowers to the movies, TV, music, video games, podcasts, journalism and more that give us fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of LGBTQ people and issues,” Urie stated. He then reminded the audience that 2025 marks 40 years since GLAAD’s inception.
He continued, “I am confident that if we keep fighting, loving, and showing up, we can change minds and we will get that “T” and that “Q” back in the Stonewall National Monument. We will get that “F” back on Hunter Schafer’s passport. And we will keep all of that “D” in The White Lotus.”
Urie then shouted out journalist and internet sensation Tracy E. Gilchrist who’s work at Out Magazine earned her a nomination for Outstanding Magazine. “Thanks to journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist we all know how to hold space,” he joked.
Fellow viral star Jools Lebron was also in attendance, serving… but also serving as the night’s trophy presenter. And it was both cutesy and demure.
Then, it was showtime.
Grammy winners Maren Morris and Lil Nas X took the stage to announce the winner of the coveted Outstanding Music Artist category. “2024 was a dope year for music. Fans all over the world heard themselves in these incredible nominees for Outstanding Music Artist,” Lil Nas X said before announcing the winner to be none other than Doechii!
The crowd was brought to their feet as the Grammy winner took the stage. “I am thrilled at being recognized with such a prestigious award by GLAAD – and to be joining prior honorees such as Renee Rapp, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith and Janelle Monae.”
She continued, “This is such a huge and special moment as well because GLAAD is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. This organization was founded on the principles of acceptance, inclusiveness and empowerment.”
“Those are the same tenets I strongly believe in, advocate for and that continue to propel me forward – especially now as hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community are being threatened. But we are here and we are not going anywhere. The support and love I’m feeling as I accept this award from GLAAD is overwhelming, uplifting and – as I move forward in my life and career – enabling. It’s also a beacon to other aspiring artists to not let anyone EVER block your dreams. Stay connected with each other. Stay passionate. Stay unapologetic. And stay fab!”
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After Outstanding Documentary and Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV were announced, the NFL’s Khalen Saunders and R.K. Russell took the stage!
Russell, who is bisexual, started by saying, ‘You know who had no issues when I came out? My teammates. Our community can have major impact if we can reach this giant base of sports fans.” Saunders offered a sweet and impactful message of allyship, “I’ve had a lot of proud moments playing in the NFL – especially during my time with the New Orleans Saints. But I am exceptionally proud to stand as an ally to my brother, Kam Saunders. I was bursting with pride when I saw him dancing alongside Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour!”
Russell the said, “LGBTQ inclusion is the right thing to do, and it takes all of us. Which is why it is so important to have active players like yourself, Kalen, stepping up as allies for our community.”
Later in the night, actor and writer Brandon Kyle Goodman took the stage to present the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to the incredible Cynthia Erivo.
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“I have often spoken about being your whole self and true self, I speak about the prizes that come from being you, against the odds, but rarely do I acknowledge how hard that can be. So I thought that I would make some room for those of us who are trying to find the courage to exist as we want. Because I think this space is just where to do it,” Erivo shared.
She continued, “It isn’t easy. None of it is, waking up and choosing to be yourself, proclaiming a space belongs to you when you don’t feel welcomed. Teaching people on a daily basis how to address you, and dealing with the frustration of re-teaching people a word that is and has been in the human vocabulary since the dawn of time. they/them. Words use to describe pedantically two or more people, poetically a person who is simply more.”
To close, she stated, “This room is full of people who can and will, if they choose, and I hope they will, because I do, be lanterns to light up your journey and your path on your way to showing the world who you are. We use the phrase out and proud and though you might not have the strength or capacity to do that now, know that I am proud of your quiet and solitary want to be just that.” The crowd irrupted in applause.
Later in the night, the stunning Tanner Adell gave an amazing performance of her country-hip-hop hit Buckle Bunny!
Agatha All Along and Broadway’s own Patti LuPone then arrived to offer some hilarious messages made famous by the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
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Lupone also joined the cast of Agatha All Along to accept the award for Outstanding New Series! Other winners announced on stage include The Groomsmen: Second Chances (Hallmark) for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV, Will & Harper (Netflix) for Outstanding Documentary, RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) for Outstanding Reality Program – Competition, The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo) for Outstanding Reality Program, Agatha All Along (Disney+), Baby Reindeer (Netflix) for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Baby, This is Keke Palmer (Wondery) for Outstanding Podcast, 9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox) for Outstanding Drama Series, and Hacks (Max) for Outstanding Comedy Series.
To close out the night, Jake Wesley Rogers gave a jaw dropping performance of We Are The Champions.
Learn more about the night’s big winners here!
The event will be available for streaming exclusively on Hulu beginning April 12th.