The GLAAD Media Awards celebrated 30 years of LGBTQ+ entertainment representation, advocacy, and acceptance.
The GLAAD Media Awards continued their historical legacy Thursday night in Beverly Hills as they recognized a diverse talent pool that is paving the way for how the current and future generations will see the media and entertainment industry. As the evening kicked off, stars began to arrive on the red carpet. We got to chat with some of the outstanding GLAAD attendees before the event officially began.
Pamela Stewart Chair of GLAAD Board of Directors
The Knockturnal: What does today’s event mean to you?
Pamela Stewart: It means so much, as an African American, lesbian female, to have Beyonce and Jay Z honored is everything for me and because it’s a halo effect, it tells marginalized communities that you can be who you are, you can be as authentic as you are, and you can still be successful and you can matter. I think the second piece is we’re celebrating 30 years at GLAAD, you know, story-telling and amplifying voices, things only we can do and I’m excited about that!
Lilan Bowden from Disney’s Andi Mack
The Knockturnal: What does being here at the GLAAD Awards mean to you?
Lilan Bowden: This is so exciting, I’m here representing Disney Channel’s Andi Mack, we got to win last year, and to be nominated again is such an honor. And also, I feel like I am so proud because Cyrus’ story line has really expanded since last year and I feel so excited to be a part of something that is really changing the landscape of children’s television.
The Knockturnal: Seeing that what happens in Hollywood has a ripple effect in the entertainment industry across the U.S. and internationally, what’s something you hope the industry does to keep that progressive movement?
Lilan Bowden: I think that we are really embracing minority story lines and my hope is that we keep telling story lines of people of different backgrounds in a way that we haven’t considered before. They have been valuable so I think once we do, then the minority story lines will become majority storylines.
Gabrielle Ruiz from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
The Knockturnal: What do the GLAAD Awards mean to you?
Gabrielle Ruiz: GLAAD is always so great, always so wonderful. They’re such truth slayers and protectors of this community, but also they’ve been wonderful with our show and we’ve always been able to have an open dialogue with them and making sure what we do is honest and that it’s right.
Before the guests made their way into the main event, many of them such at the Queer Eye cast, Meghan Trainor, Hayley Kiyoko, Adam Lambert, Michelle Kwan, Nico Santos, Gigi Gorgeous, and Dan Reynolds stopped by the GLAAD Awards video booth for amazing camera moments and grabbed a couple of drinks at the bar sponsored by Ketel One Family-Made Vodka. After making their way into the main venue, the fun didn’t stop there. Performances were made by Shangela and Lizzo to entertain the audience and to add to the thrilling events of the night.
Important highlights of the night were when Beyonce and Jay Z were honored with the Vanguard Award. This award was in response to how their music and allyship has impacted LGBTQ people around the world. Sean Hayes was also presented with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for his LGBTQ advocacy and work to tell LGBTQ stories.
A full list of nominees and winners can be found on GLAAD’s website.
The GLAAD Media Awards are the definition of a successful rising force in the entertainment and media industry that is creating a world where LGBTQ+ representation is the new norm.
