Grammy award-winning singer Ricky Martin and Emmy- and Tony award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will be honored at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Martin will receive the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for LGBT people, in New York on Saturday, March, 19th.
"Ricky coming out was a game changer for many gay and transgender Latino children, who for too long did not have many out gay people to look up to," said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, in a statement released to the press. "Through his music, videos and interviews, Ricky has sent an important message that our community wants the same things all people do: an equal chance to raise our families and take care of our loved ones."
Chenoweth will receive the Vanguard Award, which is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of LGBT people, in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 10th.
"When allies like Kristin take such powerful stands against antigay sentiments in the media, it sends an important message of equality," Barrios said. "It is a privilege to honor such a talented and conscientious advocate for fairness towards the LGBT community."
For more information on the awards, click here.
"Glee" has another reason to be happy.
The Fox musical comedy was among the winners at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards. The show's cast and creator Ryan Murphy received the trophy for outstanding comedy series at Saturday's glitzy ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Murphy, in particular, praised lesbian actress Jane Lynch and gay actor Chris Colfer for their contributions.
"We have a great responsibility with the show," Murphy beamed.
Murphy told the crowd that Colfer's character, outspoken gay soprano Kurt Hummel, would have a boyfriend next season, and the pair would become prom kings. Murphy also promised the crowd that Colfer's character "would never be the victim."
"Iron Chef" Cat Cora presented actress-director Drew Barrymore with the Vanguard Award, which honors efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the gay community. In a humorous video before accepting her trophy, Barrymore listed several of her inspirational gay colleagues, including her agent, lawyer, doctor, stylists and one of her dogs.
"The thing that means the most to me about an evening like this, and why I want to fight and be outspoken about this is because there are so many people who are in desperate need of families," Barrymore said.
Constance McMillen, the lesbian Mississippi teenager who challenged her school district's ban of same-sex prom dates, presented comedian-actress Wanda Sykes with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is given by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to an openly gay member of the entertainment community for their work toward eliminating homophobia.
"I'm willing to give this award to you," Sykes teased McMillen, "but I'm not gonna do it. It means a lot to me."
Other winners included Logo's "RuPaul's Drag Race" for outstanding reality program and "A Single Man" for outstanding wide release film. "A Single Man" director Tom Ford wasn't on hand to receive his trophy. His partner Richard Buckley accepted the award on Ford's behalf because the filmmaker was stranded in London thanks to the volcanic cloud of ash.
Adam Lambert, the glam-rocking "American Idol" runner-up who raised eyebrows with his racy performance at last year's American Music Awards, capped off the ceremony hosted by transgender actress Candis Cayne and gay actor Wilson Cruz with a performance of his tunes "Music Again" and "Fever." He ended by pleading for diversity within the gay community.
The awards salute fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives in the media. Other winners -- chosen from 152 nominees in 32 categories -- were awarded at a March ceremony in New York, while the remainder will be presented at a San Francisco ceremony in June.
Drew Barrymore and Wanda Sykes are to be the recipients of this year's top gay honors at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Officials at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation will bestow their Vanguard Award on Barrymore, while gay comedienne Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at a glitzy gala in Los Angeles on April 17th.
Barrymore's honor comes after she portrayed Robert De Niro's lesbian daughter in Everybody's Fine, which has also been nominated for Outstanding Film at the event.
She has become a big favorite of GLAAD in recent years for her activism towards gay rights and joined thousands of marriage equality advocates on the streets of West Hollywood when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, which eliminated marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
The thrilled star says, "I was born, bred and raised among diversity, it has defined me and made me the person I am today. I'm honoured and humbled to be receiving this award."
Past recipients of The Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Sharon Stone and Elizabeth Taylor.
Sykes' honor is annually presented to openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the gay community
Grammy award-winning singer Ricky Martin and Emmy- and Tony award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will be honored at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
