Yes, the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards was, as always, a spirited celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation in film, television music and more. But this year it also served as a potent rallying cry, in the face of a spike in discrimination evidenced in several state legislatures’ recent anti-trans laws, curriculum policies and drag show bans.
Harvey Guillen, who later in the evening accepted the Outstanding Comedy Series award for his series “What We Do in the Shadows,” told PvNew on the red carpet that, even as great strides have been made for over the years, the ceremony’s relevance was as vital as ever.
“It’s so funny that history tends to repeat itself when you take out textbooks to teach that history and when you choose marginalized groups to attack,” said Guillen. “And I just look around this room and I am reminded of how much queer talent is under one roof, and the idea that you would try to omit us from expressing our creativity and being part of the fabric of history. It blows my mind because we’re not going anywhere.”
“It’s important to know that this is a long struggle – it’s not just about showing up tonight; It’s about showing up every day,” said “Star Trek: Discovery” actor and longtime activist Wilson Cruz. “[I’m] reminded of just how much shame we have overcome. There was a time when you could literally lose your entire life if you were openly gay and said it out loud. People were afraid of marching in front of the White House. So to see us come this far and so quickly, it’s breathtaking. But also it does make you understand why there’s been so much pushback and why that pushback has been so strong in the last few years.”
online influencer Gigi Gorgeous says despite her prominence as a trans women, attending the ceremony always exposes her to new causes and concerns. ”I feel like I know a lot going on until I sit here, and then I learn more,” she said. “With just everything happening right now in the world, it’s really important just to really show up and show face and educate yourself, because we need to educate others.”
“There is no choice but to fight,” Gabrielle Union told PvNew of her determination to stand up for GLADD’s community, which includes her 15-year-old stepdaughter Zaya, who is trans. “Listen, this is a worthwhile fight. And if you don’t want to fight for our LGBTQIA folks who are under attack because it’s the right thing to do, do it because your rights are coming next.”
One of the buzzier topics of conversation was the day’s indictment of former president Donald Trump, which many of the attendees saw as an adjunct to the night’s celebration, given his role in sparking the current wave of anti-LBTQ+ legislation and discrimination.
“This celebration really is about acknowledging our achievements, to enjoy what we’ve been able to accomplish under duress, under all of this homophobia, homophobic legislation, this bizarre onslaught of hatred,” said comedian Margaret Cho, who served as the evening’s emcee. “But this is a night where we get to also get to celebrate Trump’s indictment, which is an incredible thing!”
Bad Bunny was presented with the Vanguard Award by Ricky Martin. “Thank you to the whole LGBTQ community for embracing me, for loving me the way that they do, and for inspiring me too,” Bad Bunny said. “I believe that when you have a good heart, and you give love, that’s what you receive back, and that’s what I’ve wanted to do all this time with my music, with what I represent, with my space, with my concert, with my shows, with all that I do, that’s all I want to do: give love and receive love.”
Advocate for Change Award honoree Christina Aguilera spiced up her acceptance speech with a sexed up joke. “I grew up in this community as most of my lifelong best friends identify as LGBTQ,” she said. “So much of who I am and what I do is because of each of you and the shared experience of having a fight for equality and freedom in some capacity. Side by side, we’ve learned and taught each other everything about life, from business to relationships, to music, family, partying. I don’t know who does it better.”
But then she added, “And of course, how to give a good blow job. You know how to get dirty!”
Taking a beat to take in the moment, Stephen F. Kolzak Award winner Jeremy Pope acknowledged all of the Black men who’ve been influential in his life who didn’t impose notions of hypermasculinity onto him, especially the support of his father, professional bodybuilder and pastor Ty Pope, who was in the audience.
“It takes an open heart and an open mind to learn how to unconditionally love one another,” the “Inspection” star said. “As we continue to build and fight for our community, we know that we are targeted, our trans brothers and sisters, our rights seem to be at stake and at times I find my heart wrestling with this idea of how do I know that it is gonna be okay. But it’s rooms like this that remind me of the power of this community. The power of love how we will rise time and time again for each other.”
Check out photos from the GLAAD carpet and inside the show below.
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Christina Aguilera
Image Credit: Mark Von Holden for PvNew Ashlee Marie Preston dazzles at the GLAAD Media Awards.
