Award Recipients for the Inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising
November 5, 2009 by Sara Werner, GLAAD's Public Relations & Communications Intern
A GREAT big thank you to everyone who attended the Inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Ogilvy and Southwest Airlines in New York City on October 27, 2009! Over 350 professionals from the advertising industry attended the event that recognize and honor outstanding images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in advertising.
The evening began with a reception at New World Stages where guests bid on silent auction items with proceeds benefiting GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-defamation work.
Inside the event, the live auction was conducted by the first female fine art auctioneer in America, Lorna Kelly, and actor Bryan Batt (Mad Men).
The Inaugural Media Awards in Advertising opened with a warm welcome from host, actor Alan Cumming, who received the Vito Russo Award at the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. After a “GLAAD Men” sketch (in the style of Mad Men), he cued the beginning of the visual presentations. All nominees were shown to the audience – spanning industries and including diverse images of the LGBT community.
After Cumming’s monologue, he introduced Jeffrey Moran of Absolut Vodka, who announced the GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Print/Outdoor advertisement that ran in LGBT outlets. Progressive Insurance accepted the award for “LGBT Print Campaign,” which featured classic antique portraits of gay and lesbian couples, with one-line captions such as, “Generations later, this portrait reached the mantel.” The award was accepted by Miriam Deitcher, Director of Target Marketing for Progressive.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Print/Outdoor advertisement in the Mainstream Market was presented to Allstate’s “Insurance Comes Out” campaign. Allstate’s outdoor advertisement ran on bus shelters and in health clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco to pay homage to the company’s LGBT consumers. The advertisement featured different printed advertisements containing an equality rainbow and LGBT friendly phrases such as, “Equality is Our Policy” and “You’re Only Human, Fabulous, But Human.” The award was accepted by Megan Dawson, Associate Project Manager and Manager of LGBT Communications at Allstate.
customers, to fellow corporations – and to anyone who sees their ads – that LGBT people should be accepted and valued for our contributions to society,” continued Barrios on the authority of corporate advertising. Barrios concluded that, “GLAAD congratulates the award recipients and will continue to advocate for increased inclusion of LGBT images in mainstream advertising to show gay and transgender people are part of America and respected as customers and employees in these companies.”Barrios then introduced Senior Vice-President and General Manager of LOGO and MTV Networks, Lisa Sherman, to the enthused crowd. The former ad-exec, was brought into cultivate LOGO from its launch in 2005 as an all ad-supported channel. In 2007, AfterEllen reported Sherman as being “number eleven” on their list of “The Top Thirteen Power Lesbians in the Entertainment Industry,” reporting that “under her guidance Logo’s advertisers have grown from three, at its debut in 2005, to more than sixty.” (Click here for more)
With great honor, Sherman took the stage to introduce the Corporate Responsibility Award and announce its winner, Subaru. Tim Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer Subaru, North America, accepted the award.
As the awards continued, Jay Manuel of America’s Next Top Model resumed the stage to begin announcing the award recipients in the categories of television advertising. Bertolli, received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Television – LGBT Market, for their ad “Bertolli Oven Baked Meals” that appeared on LGBT television channels. The advertisement featured a man’s day dream sequence, which gets interrupted by his partner as they sit down for dinner. Bertolli’s Senior Brand Building Director, Gaston Vaneri accepted the award.
The Outstanding Television in a Mainstream Market Award was presented to Orbitz, for their “Golfers” commercial. The award was accepted by Brian Hoyt, Vice-President and Government Affairs for Orbitz. The advertisement ran on national television channels and included a golfer wearing an LGBT equality symbol.
Nancy Hill, President-CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA), awarded Toyota Scion’s “Create-Your-Own-Comic” campaign on LogoOnline.com the GLAAD Media Award 
in the Outstanding Interactive Campaign category. In partnership with Scion, LOGOonline built the application that allowed LOGO viewers to express their creativity with the popular Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple franchise. Users were able to create their own unique comic strip with the show’s characters and were given the ability to create their own Scion to use in their comic. Users were encouraged to share their comics and enter them in a contest that received 2,031 entries. Hill presented the award to Lisa Sherman.
Award recipients, previously announced at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in January 2009 for the categories: Outstanding Advertising – Electronic and Outstanding Advertising – Print, were also recognized at Tuesday night’s event.
Anthony Cirone, former Chair of the Commercial Closet Association Board of Directors, announced a tie in Outstanding Advertising – Electronic between Levi’s “Logo Unbuttoned” campaign and Kenneth Cole’s “We All Walk In Different Shoes – Nina Poon”. A representative from interactive marketing accepted the award for Levi’s sensuous ad featuring a gay couple. Kristen Dykstra spoke on behalf of Kenneth Cole’s enterprising ad featuring transgender model Nina Poon.
Scott Seitz of SPI Marketing and Jeffrey Moran received the award for Outstanding Advertising – Print for “Will You Marry Me” by ABSOLUT® VODKA The ad featured a marriage proposal from a man to his partner on a jumbotron at a baseball game. The caption reads, “In an Absolut World”, a daring political statement campaigning for marriage equality.
The final award of the event
was presented by actress Judith Light along with LGBT advocate and author, David Mixner. Light and Mixner presented Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams with the Public Visibility Award for their personal dedication to advocating for LGBT equality, as well as the inclusion of LGBT stories in advertisements for their furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Beginning next year, all future advertising nominees will be announced in conjunction with the GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising event. Also, GLAAD maintains an online library of over 4,000 LGBT-inclusive ads.
GLAAD would like to extend great thanks to all the corporate partners for their generous support in making the event a great success and a night to remember.
We hope to see you at the GLAAD’s next event, OUTAuction, on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
The following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising recipients announced on Tuesday in New York.
• Outstanding Print/Outdoor – LGBT Market: “LGBT Print Campaign” Progressive Insurance (Presented by: Jeffrey Moran) [Accepted by: Miriam Deitcher]
• Outstanding Print/Outdoor – Mainstream Market: “Insurance Comes Out” Allstate (Presented by: Jeffrey Moran) [Accepted by: Megan Dawson]
• Corporate Responsibility Award: Subaru (Presented by Lisa Sherman:) [Accepted by: Tim Mahoney]
• TV – LGBT Market: “Bertolli Oven Baked Meals” Bertolli (Presented by: Jay Manuel) [Accepted by: Gaston Vaneri]
• TV – Mainstream Market: “Golfers” Orbitz (Presented by: Jay Manuel) [Accepted by: Brian Hoyt]
• Interactive: “Scion’s Create-Your-Own-Comic” Toyota Scion (Presented by: Nancy Hill) [Accepted by: Lisa Sherman]
• Outstanding Advertising – Electronic: TIE: (Presented by: Anthony Cirone)”Logo Unbuttoned” Levi’s & “We All Walk In Different Shoes – Nina Poon” Kenneth Cole [Accepted by: Kristen Dykstra]
• Outstanding Advertising – Print: “Will You Marry Me?” ABSOLUT® VODKA (Presented by: Anthony Cirone) [Accepted by: Jeffrey Moran]
• Public Visibility Award: (Presented by: Judith Light and David Mixner) [Accepted by: Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams]
Click here to view all the nominees.
Special thanks to Thomas Evans photography and Peter Lau photography for capturing the event.
Related Posts:Join Equality Across America at the National Equality March on October 11 in Washington, D.C.; Attend Free GLAAD Media Training
October 2, 2009 by Kyle Griffin, Intern @ GLAAD
Stand with us to raise visibility of the LGBT community October 10 – 11 at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.
Equality Across America has organized thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and our allies to stand together and let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people.
GLAAD will join Equality Across America on October 10 & 11 at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C. in an effort to raise awareness about LGBT equality.
Are You Marching? Attend a free GLAAD Media Training in D.C.
During the National Equality March, GLAAD will conduct free media training workshops to assist an array of community activists and o
rganizers with developing media outreach campaigns and sharing personal stories with national media outlets.
GLAAD will also share best practices for leveraging social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with and engage local community members.
During the training, American University Washington College of Law’s Lambda Law Society and Georgetown University Law Center’s Outlaw student organization will co-facilitate a brief overview on “Your Legal Right to Demonstrate.” This presentation will look at the development of the law guaranteeing people the right to demonstrate and focus on the utilization of this right by the LGBT community.
Register today for the GLAAD Media Training at the National Equality March Web site at http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=19
Need a Ride from New York City?
GLAAD and the National Equality March are pleased to invite you to ride with us from New York City to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 11th, 2009. Tickets Discounted tickets are available now at www.nycgomarch-GLAAD.eventbrite.com.
Become a New York City March Leader and you could go to the GLAAD Media Awards
There are no passengers on this journey. We are all activists and we all have a role roll to play in making the March a huge success. If you register for your own March Leader referral link and send it to everyone you know, you could win a pair of VIP tickets to the 2010 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in March 2010 or a pair of Gold passes to the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s Winter Party in Miami.
Register for a March Leader code by emailing Alexander Meadows at a.meadows@nationalequalitymarch.com with the words “March Leader” in the subject line. For more information on the GLAAD Media Awards, visit http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards
Join the National Equality March on Facebook.
Thank GLAAD It’s Friday at the National Equality March
And don’t forget to kick off the National Equality March weekend on Friday, October 9 for the 2009 “Thank GLAAD It’s Friday” (TGIF) series. Join GLAAD President, Jarrett T. Barrios, and hundreds of friends for a night of networking, hosted cocktails and information on how GLAAD is working to amplify the voice of our community and raise awareness of LGBT issues. Enjoy great music, take a chance on one of our fabulous raffle prizes, and receive a one-year membership to GLAAD!
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.glaad.org/tgifdc1
Related Posts:Summer GLAAD Events – Have Fun & Support Our Work With NYC Housewives, PTown “beachBums” and Top Chefs!
August 7, 2009 by Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Director of Public Relations
Worried that your fun-filled summer is coming to an end? – Think again!
Close your summer in style at one of GLAAD’s upcoming events to celebrate and benefit GLAAD’s work!
August 18, 2009
Planning to relax poolside in Provincetown during Carnival Week? Join GLAAD at the 4th Annual Provincetown “beachBums” event! Held on August 18, 2009 at The Crown & Anchor, GLAAD will treat you to a live aussieBum fashion show, entertainment from the legendary – and hilarious – Miss Richfield 1981, and GLAAD’s exclusive “SPF” (Stars Promoting Fairness) Celebrity Swimwear Auction where you can bid on swimwear signed by some of Hollywood’s biggest names including Elton John to benefit GLAAD’s culture changing work!
Presented by Absolut, the Crown & Anchor, aussieBum
Los Angeles Event: GLAAD Hancock Park – Top Chef Invasion
If you are a food fanatic, then GLAAD Hancock Park is the event for you! GLAAD invites you to join us on August 23, 2009 at the home of Tim Corrigan to enjoy a chef challenge from special guests and openly gay chefs Jamie Lauren and Richard Sweeney, stars of Bravo Television’s Top Chef. In celebration of GLAAD’s work, GLAAD will provide live entertainment from the Dangerous Muse, DJ Joe Gauthreaux, and Bailey featuring BOOM KITTY. In addition, Los Angeles area restaurants will be promoting their food specialties, and guests can participate in a food centric silent auction.
Presented by American Airlines, Barefoot Wine, Bravo Television, and Skyy Vodka
New York City Event: GLAAD Manhattan
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to meet our celebrity guests including Jill Zarin & Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (the Real Housewives of New York City), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Model Ronnie Kroell, and Comedian Lisa Lampanelli!
Join us for GLAAD Manhattan’s Venice Beach themed event held on August 25, 2009, at 230 Fifth 20th Floor Roof Top Garden. Invite friends and family to enjoy a special Andrew Christian swimsuit show in addition to face painting, caricature artists, psychics, balloon artists, and a gorgeous view.
Presented by Bacardi, Delta; Event Partners: Barefoot Wine and Prudential
Calling All Artists! Now Taking Submisisons for OUTAuction 2009
August 3, 2009 by glaadBLOG admin
GLAAD’s Curatorial Committee for OUTAuction is looking for artists, both emerging and established to submit their work to be auctioned off at our signature art event – OUTAuction NYC. Submissions are due by October 7th.
All are encouraged to apply and work of any nature will be considered by the Curatorial Committee. All selected artist will receive two tickets to attend OUTAuction on 11/15.
Photo from OUTAuction 2008
Awards for Best Emerging Artists will be given in three categories: painting/ drawing, photography and mixed media.
Please visit our website to submit artwork online, download the application, or obtain more information: www.glaad.org/outauction2009
With your involvement, we can raise much needed awareness and funds to continue our efforts. While the event is always entertaining and well received, this memorable evening also raises critical funds necessary for GLAAD to remain vigilant in the fight to tell the stories and lives of lgbt people fairly and accurately.
OUTAuction Event Information
Since 2002, GLAAD has produced an annual fundraising art event, OUTAuction NYC. Part glamorous cocktail party, part art auction, OUTAuction NYC celebrates established and emerging artists and recognizes GLAAD’s Top 100 Artists.
Photo From OUTAuction 2008
This year marks the eighth year of OUTAuction, this event has grown to be GLAAD’s fourth biggest fundraiser right behind our Media Awards series. Not only has the event grown in corporate support, but also guest attendance, while continuing to gain awareness from the art world.
OUTAuction continues to provide a tremendous opportunity to build connections and educate people about GLAAD’s work and provide emerging artists with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
On Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, GLAAD will feature a live and silent auction with 100 original pieces of art. Over 700 guests from the art, entertainment, fashion and philanthropic communities are scheduled to attend.
Our Arts Advisory Committee has included the support of: Ross Bleckner, Clodagh, Brian English and Mark McKenna/ The Herb Ritts Foundation, Wayne Snellen/ The Leslie Lohman Gay Art Foundation, Ryan McGinness, Patrick McMullan, Asher Remy Toledo / Remy Toledo Gallery, Wessel+ O’Connor Fine Art, Matthew Higgs/ White Columns and Jeanette Ingberman/ Exit Art.
Participating artists have included: Pablo Picasso, Herb Ritts, Ross Bleckner, Steven Klein, Ryan McGinness, Karim Rashid, Clodagh, Annie Leibovitz, Karim Rashid, Mario Sorrenti, Peter Max, Rosie O’Donnell, and Patrick McMullan, among many others.
Celebrities who have participated/ attended in the past include: Tom Ford, Susie Essman, Patricia Fields, Eva LaRue, Donna Summer, Jensen Atwood and Junior Vasquez.
Past Corporate Partners of the event include: Absolut® Vodka, American Airlines, Bud Light, Cargo, Chelsea Frames, Clos Du Bois, Dancing Bull, Deutsche Bank, Earthlink, Fiji Water, Here!, Imperia Vodka, Jaguar/ Land Rover, Marlo Copy & Printing Center, Perrier, Svedka, TimeOut New York, Vange/ Dom, W Hotel/ Aloft.
Related Posts:Panelists Announced for GLAAD’s Panel on Homophobia & Virtual Communities
July 7, 2009 by Justin Cole, GLAAD's Director of Digital Media
Today, GLAAD announced the panelists and topics to be covered in an upcoming panel on Homophobia & Virtual Communities. The panel will take place from 11am-1pm on July 18, 2009 at the Electronic Arts campus, just south of San Francisco in Redwood City, California.
To RSVP, please email digitaltickets@glaad.org or visit www.glaad.org/digitalevent. You can also join the Facebook Event Page.
The first of its kind panel discussion will spotlight the issue of homophobia in virtual communities and include the perspectives of both gaming companies and LGBT gamers. Discussion will revolve around the state of the problem in these communities, policy solutions that have been developed to address homophobia – some that are working and those that are not – as well as looking forward to challenges and opportunities in various sectors of the industry including production, policy and enforcement, financial, customer service and the end user experience.
Confirmed panelists include:
- Flynn DeMarco (Alias: Fruite Brute), Founder of GayGamer.net
- Dan Hewitt, Senior Director of Communications & Industry Affairs for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
- Caryl Shaw, Senior Producer in the Maxis Studio (Electronic Arts, Inc.)
- Cyn Skyberg, VP of Customer Relations at Linden Lab
- Stephen Toulouse (Gamertag: stepto), Program Manager for Policy and Enforcement on Microsoft’s XBox LIVE
I’ll be moderating the panel as the Director of Digital Media for GLAAD.
Jarrett Barrios, the incoming President of GLAAD, remarked today:
The panel will provide an important forum to discuss a problem many LGBT people face in virtual communities and will help set the groundwork for better and more LGBT inclusive policies. These companies have voiced a commitment to all their customers – ensuring a safe environment for LGBT people is a critical part of that.
To RSVP, please email digitaltickets@glaad.org or visit www.glaad.org/digitalevent. You can also join the Facebook Event Page.
Other key information:
- Title: Homophobia in Virtual Communities – Highlighting the Problem and Working Towards Sustainable Solutions
- Date: Saturday, July 18th, 2009
- Time: 11am-1pm PST
- Place: Redwood City, CA (specific location information and directions will be given to those who RSVP)
- Format: 1 moderator, 5 panelists – Introductions, three major questions each followed by discussion, audience Q&A
The panel is part of GLAAD’s previously announced advocacy and anti-defamation project that will focus on a range of virtual communities including networked PC games, social networks, online gaming and virtual worlds. The project will also address policies related to commenting features on blogs, Web sites and message boards.
GLAAD will work to ensure such communities remain committed to:
- Providing safe spaces for LGBT people to connect
- Enact the best policies to prevent anti-LGBT defamation
- Educate users of these communities about the effects of homophobia.
You can read more about our Digital Media work here.
Related Posts:Celebrate PRIDE with GLAAD All Across the US
June 12, 2009 by Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Director of Public Relations
This year GLAAD is bringing PRIDE celebrations to members across the country with special editions of our networking series, Thank GLAAD It’s Friday, presented by ABSOLUT!
“Thank GLAAD It’s Friday: PRIDE edition” events kick off tonight in Los Angeles at ELEVEN Nightclub from 6-8PM. Comedian Alec Mapa, actor Reichen Lehmkuhl, Glenn Douglas Packard of Brooke Knows Best, author/activist Ben Patrick Douglas, reality TV star and celebrity stylist Tabatha Coffee, Big Brother star Marcellas Reynolds and GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano are scheduled to appear.
PRIDE events include a chance to hear about GLAAD’s work in your local community, special PRIDE gifts from ABSOLUT, great raffle prizes and two hours of complimentary cocktails.
Additional PRIDE events are scheduled for:
- Chicago on June 19 at minibar. RSVP here and join the Facebook event page
- New York City on June 19 at Vlada Lounge. RSVP here and join the Facebook event page.
- San Francisco on June 19 at Truck. RSVP here and join the Facebook event page.
- Washington, D.C. on June 26 at EFN Lounge. RSVP here and join the Facebook event page
Celebrate PRIDE with GLAAD and be sure to read about our Programs work this month including the PRIDE resource kit we released for journalists. GLAAD encourages journalists to use Pride events as an opportunity to discuss the history of LGBT advocacy, show the diversity of the LGBT community, and examine recent gains and setbacks made by the community.
Related Posts:Kick-Off Reception for Advertising Media Program
May 8, 2009 by Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Director of Public Relations
GLAAD is gearing up for the official start of our Advertising Media Program and we have an exciting reception planned to kick-off the program on Monday, May 18, 2009. During the launch event, GLAAD will provide an overview of our advocacy work in advertising as well as honor Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo for their commitment to LGBT-inclusive ads.
The launch reception will be held Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio (405 West 55th St, New York, NY). We hope you can join in what will be a great networking opportunity for LGBT advertising and marketing professionals! Click here to buy tickets for just $25!
We’ve already started our anti-defamation work in advertising – as reported last week on glaadBLOG, GLAAD successfully advocated that a Virginia used car company pull offensive ads that referred to same-sex flirting as “not smart” from the airwaves and their Web site.
Leveraging GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-LGBT defamation resources, GLAAD’s Advertising Media Program will monitor all forms of advertising and work to ensure fair and accurate representations of the LGBT community or demand action when defamation occurs. GLAAD will also proactively advance inclusion of the LGBT community in mainstream advertising through advocacy work at advertising agencies and corporate advertising departments. The Program will maintain the online library formerly owned by Commercial Closet Association of over 4,000 LGBT-inclusive ads.
The GLAAD staff, GLAAD Board or Directors and President Neil G. Giuliano recently rang the NASDAQ closing bell and spoke about the upcoming program as well as the estimated $712 billion in buying power of the LGBT community.
And see coverage of GLAAD closing NASDAQ on CNBC, Bloomberg, and FOX Business News.
To celebrate the launch of the program, GLAAD will honor Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo with Special Recognition Awards.
Levi’s Brand won the 2008 Images in Advertising Award for Outstanding Commercial for a commercial which depicts a young male pulling on a pair of Levi’s jeans as the street below him comes crashing through his floor, leaving him face-to-face with an attractive stranger in a nearby telephone booth. The two men walk off while holding hands. Levi’s has had a long involvement with the LGBT community as exemplified by the “Support of Gay Marriage” campaign, the “Inside Out” campaign and the recent “Logo Unbuttoned” campaign.
Levi’s ads perpetuate the company’s history of LGBT inclusive business practices and marketing outreach. In 1992, Levi Strauss & Co. became the first Fortune 500 company to extend full benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of employees.
Wells Fargo has consistently supported the LGBT community by being one of the first financial institutions to reach out to the community with targeted advertising and sponsorship of LGBT causes and organizations. Wells Fargo has a long standing commitment to speak to our community through advertising for not only financial related products but also in company recruiting and fostering an inclusive workplace. As a result of its long standing support to LGBT causes, anti-gay activists initiated a boycott of Wells Fargo in 2005. In spite of anti-gay activists, the company remains a strong ally to our community.
Tickets for the reception are $25 and will be credited to tickets for the Fall 2009 Advertising Awards. They can be purchased at www.glaad.org/events. Sponsors of the event include ABSOLUT® VODKA, DRAFTFCB, Levi’s Brand and Wells Fargo. Media partners include Gay City News, PinkBananaMedia.com and TheMenEvent.com.
The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards – Los Angeles
April 23, 2009 by Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Director of Public Relations
A big thank you to everyone who attended the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM in Los Angeles on April 18! 1,100 local youth and more than 1,500 professionals attended the event, presented by ABSOLUT® VODKA, to watch GLAAD honor outstanding representations of LGBT people in media.
The evening began with a reception at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live where guests bid on silent auction items from more than 30 donors. At the same time, the red carpet stretched over 96 feet and welcomed over 50 media outlets to photograph and interview special guests and raise visibility of A-list celebrities supporting our community.
Media outlets including The New York Times, USA Today and Reuters wrote about the winners and honorees. Leading entertainment shows including Access Hollywood and The Insider interviewed special guests including Ellen DeGeneres, Teri Hatcher and Geroge Takei.
Not only did the celebrities answer questions about marriage equality, but they also dished on their shows and the Desperate Housewives ladies in attendance (Teri Hatcher, Brenda Strong, Andrea Bowen) spoke out about the dearly departed Edie Britt. LGBT media outlets including The Advocate, AfterEllen.com, FH Out Front, Greg in Hollywood and OUTTAKE also brought the event to readers.
Photos from the night ran across the world and showed an array of celebrities including Jessica Alba, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Paul James (GREEK) wearing White Knots in support of marriage equality.
Bebe Zahara Benet, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo, won my best dressed of the night award for her gorgeous sequined gown complete with feathers and a leopard print wrap.
The 20th Annual Media Awards started with a welcome from host Miss Coco Peru and continued with an opening montage of media images from 2008 that moved the crowd from laughter to tears with clips from television and film.
LGBT advocate Cleve Jones and Oscar-winning screenwriter of Milk, Dustin Lance Black, took to the stage to present the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to Bishop Gene Robinson. Robinson gave a special shout-out to the youth in the audience and brought the audience to its feet with his speech:
“It is such an honor to be here, and to be honored by the Board of GLAAD….To have you say thanks in this way just means the world to me,” Robinson said accepting his award. Speaking of the LGBT movement, Robinson continued, “We need to be in this for the long haul…Just because we achieved civil rights in the sixties for African Americans, it doesn’t mean racism is gone. Because we achieved rights for women in the seventies, it doesn’t mean sexism is gone….But we can stay in this fight because we know how it’s is going to end. This is going to end with full equality for LGBT people in our churches and in society. I have no doubt of it.”
Bill Paxton and Teri Hatcher presented Julia Louis-Dreyfus (wearing a dress that can only be described as GLAAD orange! and Megan Mullally with the award for Outstanding Individual Television Episode for The New Adventures of Old Christine. Paxton broke into an impromptu tap dance backstage after the Award and Julia Louis-Dreyfus told me how great it was to work with out comedian Wanda Sykes.
Broadway hunk and OUT100 Entertainer of the Year Cheyenne Jackson took to the stage with a piano for a moving performance of “A Change is Gonna Come,” wearing a perfectly fitted navy blue suit.
Alan Cumming presented a Special Recognition Award to The L Word which completed its sixth and final season on Showtime in March. After being stuck in traffic and missing the red carpet cast members Leisha Hailey and Katherin Moenning thankfully arrived in time to join show creator Ilene Chaiken and cast member Jennifer Beals to accept the award.
In her remarks, Chaiken commented on the continuing need to advocate for the inclusion of LGBT characters in the media. “At this moment in history, when marriage equality is virtually inevitable and maybe even imminent, when we’ve welcomed new LGBT civil rights legislation in Iowa, Colorado, Washington D.C., New Hampshire and soon New York…how can it be that LGBT people – after years of slow but promising momentum – have careened backwards in terms of representation in mainstream popular entertainment media?” Chaiken said.
Chaiken continued, “GLAAD has been working vigilantly to ensure that the defamation of LGBT people does not go unchecked. GLAAD’s been working to ensure that our lives are visible in the news and in the media. GLAAD’s work is vital and critical to helping us to achieve the milestones that are lifting LGBT people to our rightful place of full, unfettered equality. Thank you, GLAAD. And thank you Showtime, for six wonderful years…Thanks for breaking ground and for having the courage of your convictions. Now let’s do it again. Let’s do it more. Let’s do it often. Let’s do it always.”
Miss Coco Peru joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, for a performance of Prop 8: The Musical, which received a Special Recognition Award. The hysterical rendition included one member wearing a recreation of Aretha Franklin’s infamous hat from President Obama’s inauguration. According to him, there’s a store in downtown LA that has dozens to purchase!
T.R. Knight presented the Vanguard Award to Kathy Griffin who accepted the award in a bikini after parading around the green room to show off her beach body. “This is a thrill and an honor and an awesome night,” Griffin said in her acceptance speech. “You guys have been so good to me. I appreciate you, I get you, I love you, and I’ll keep making you laugh as long as you’ll let me! Thank you!”
The show closed with another standing ovation for legend Jennifer Holliday who performed “And I’m Telling You.”
After the show, I escorted Dana Delaney of Desperate Housewives, T.R. Knight of Grey’s Anatomy and Kate Walsh of Private Practice to kick off the young adult party. Over 1000 youth partied in the Nokia Theatre and took photos with these celebrities. Later on, Dustin Lance Black, Katelynn Cusanelli from The Real World Brooklyn, and the casts of Noah’s Arc and Shelter stopped by to join the young adult party.
The VIP dinner, catered by Wolfgang Puck, was held outside the Nokia Theatre and included live auction items from Visit London, Tiffany & Co., Zoom Vacations and the Herb Ritts Foundation.
After the dinner the room transformed into the ABSOLUT Mango Lounge for an after party sponsored by Only Vegas. Only Vegas supplied boas and props for attendees to dance the night away and take photos in the Fiji Water photo booth.
GLAAD thanks over 100 corporate partners for their generous support in making the event a great success and a night to remember.
We hope to see you at the GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco on May 9 where we are honoring Chad Allen and Dustin Lance Black. Additional talent includes Gabrielle Christian & Mandy Musgrave from South of Nowhere, Michelle Clunie, Wilson Cruz, Robert Gant, Suze Orman Eduardo Xol, and Judge David Young.
Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in Los Angeles. Previously awards were presented in New York at the Marriot Marquis on March 28.
- Vanguard Award: Kathy Griffin (presented by T.R. Knight)
- Stephen F. Kolzak Award: The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson (presented by Dustin Lance Black and Cleve Jones)
- Special Recognition: The L Word (Showtime) [Accepted by: show creator Ilene Chaiken, with Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig, and Leisha Hailey]
- Special Recognition: Prop 8: The Musical (FunnyorDie.com) [Accepted by: director Adam Shankman]
- Outstanding Film – Wide Release: Milk (Focus Features) [Accepted by: director Gus Van Sant, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks]
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Desperate Housewives (ABC) [Accepted by: show creator Marc Cherry, Teri Hatcher, Dana Delaney, Kyle MacLachlan, Tuc Watkins, Kevin Rahm, Andrea Bowen and Brenda Strong]
- Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without an LGBT character): “Unidentified Funk” The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) [Accepted by: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Megan Mullally, Clark Gregg, and show creator Kari Lizer]
- Outstanding Talk Show Episode: “Ellen & Portia’s Wedding Day” The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated) [Accepted by: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi]
- Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism – Newsmagazine: “A juzgar por las apariencias” y “En otro cuerpo” Aquí y Ahora (Univision) [Accepted by: Univision producer Belissa Morillo and Monica Zapata, sister of murdered transgender teenager Angie Zapata]
Keith Olbermann at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
April 2, 2009 by GLAAD Blog
Watch Keith Olbermann accept the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. The clip starts with Jane Velez-Mitchell and Hannah Storm introducing all the nominated clips and then announcing Keith Olbermann as the winner.
You can watch Suze, Tyra, Clay and T.R. Knight’s speeches here.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards today!!
20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC Wrap-Up
April 1, 2009 by Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's Director of Public Relations
A big thank you to everyone who attended the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM in New York City on March 28! More than 1,500 people attended the event presented by Prudential, which honored outstanding representations of LGBT people in media. GLAAD’s silent and live auctions raised an estimated $110,000 for GLAAD’s culture changing and media advocacy work.
The evening began with a reception at the Marriott Marquis where guests perused silent and live auction items. Meanwhile, the red carpet welcomed over 120 media outlets to photograph and interview special guests and honorees.
Media outlets including Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and Reuters were on hand to raise visibility for support for the LGBT community from A-list celebrities in attendance. LGBT media outlets including The Advocate, AfterElton.com, Queerty.com and OUTTAKE also took the opportunity interview special guests about their views on marriage equality.
The red carpet was turned white – where staff, guests and celebrities including Clay Aiken, Phil Donahue, S. Epatha Merkerson, T.R. Knight and Jane Velez- Mitchell wore white knots in support of marriage equality (http://www.whiteknot.org/).
The 20th Annual Media Awards kicked off with a hysterical monologue from comedian Kate Clinton who poked fun at Pastor Rick Warren and continued with an opening montage of media images from 2008 that had the crowd laughing with clips from television and film and moved many tears with its incorporation of media coverage of Proposition 8.
Jennifer Holliday shines at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“It’s unbelievable to think about the power and the warp speed of this revolution,” Donahue said during his acceptance. “Twenty years ago when I proudly accepted the first GLAAD Media Award…it was a very small crowd. There are more photographers here tonight than there were people then…. And now, we look up in 2009, and [the LGBT community] is popular. The majority of the people in the nation agree with us. Our job now is to summon these people to stand up and say so out loud. To tell them to join us. To march the lavender line with us down Fifth Avenue, and to remind them, when they do join us, they’re going to meet a lot of nice people.”
Actress Stockard Channing also presented a Special Recognition Award to Sirius OutQ radio personalities Romaine Patterson and Derek Hartley on behalf of Sirius XM for their two hour documentary, The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later. Patterson thanked intern and producer Katie Castellano for her work on the documentary.
The new GLAAD Media Awards Statuette which was unveiled at the New York event, designed by Society Awards
Keith Olbermann received a standing ovation from the crowd when accepting the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment for “Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love” which aired on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. Olbermann cited that his presence in the media had an advisor of John McCain change his stance on marriage equality. “One down,” Olbermann said- eliciting laughs and applause from the crowd.
Twenty-year old Donald Smith began a tribute to GLAAD President Neil Giuliano. Smith was a teenager during Giuliano’s tenure as President of Tempe, Arizona and remarked that Giuliano’s visibility had been an inspiration in Smith’s coming out.
Openly gay actor T.R. Knight presented the Vito Russo Award to Suze Orman, personal finance expert and host of CNBC’s The Suze Orman Show. The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.
“I want every single one of you in this room to take note of what corporations put their time and money behind gays, behind lesbians – behind you,” Orman said accepting her award. “Do you want to continue to give your money to people in corporations that oppress us, that keep us down? Or do you want to give your money to the corporations who can help us rise and change what needs to be changed in the United States of America today.” Orman continued, “I ask you to honor those corporations not only with your support but with your money as well. We can do this – and here’s how you’re going to do it. You are going to think about every single penny you spend from this day forward. And the only think I ask of you is to spend it and invest it in those companies that invest in you.”
Openly gay singer Clay Aiken presented the Excellence in Media Award to close personal friend Tyra Banks, who was honored for her strong commitment to educating the public about the lives of gay and transgender people on her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show, and on her reality series, America’s Next Top Model. The Excellence in Media Award is presented to individuals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community in the media.
“[The LGBT community] empowered me,” Banks said in her acceptance speech. “And in turn, when I finally had a platform, and a power, and a voice – no longer just a face, but a voice – to get across the points and the messages that were important to me, I brought you along with me. Because you embraced me and now I embrace you in front of millions to show how beautiful you are, how absolutely amazing you are, how giving you are. And I will continue to do that as long as I have a platform. I will continue to get the message out about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.”
Holliday returned to the stage to close the evening with a disco version of “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls.
The Celebrity After-Party, where attendees applauded included media images from 2008 included special guest DJ Junior Vasquez and a special cocktail from ABSOLUT to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their partnership with GLAAD.
GLAAD thanks over 100 corporate partners for their generous support in making the event a great success and a night to remember.
We hope to see you at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 18 where we are honoring Kathy Griffin, Bishop Gene Robinson and The L Word. Additional talent: Jessica Alba, Dustin Lance Black; Balthazar Getty; Megan Mullally; Alan Cumming; Gus Van Sant; George Takei; Bruno Tonioli; Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie; Wilson Cruz; and Chad Allen. A third ceremony takes place in San Francisco on May 9 honoring Chad Allen with Special Guests Wilson Cruz, Robert Gant, Jason Lewis and Suze Orman.
Pictures and Winners From The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
March 30, 2009 by GLAAD Blog
We’ll have some great videos and a full recap of the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City in the coming days, but for now we hope you enjoy the below slideshow and list of winners from Saturday’s event. You can also view the individual pictures in our photo gallery.
The GLAAD Media Awards continue in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre LA Live where GLAAD will honor Kathy Griffin, Bishop Gene Robinson and The L Word. Special guests include Jessica Alba, Dustin Lance Black; Balthazar Getty; Megan Mullally; Alan Cumming; Gus Van Sant; George Takei; Bruno Tonioli; Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie; Wilson Cruz; and Chad Allen.
A third ceremony takes place in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco honoring Chad Allen and Lucia Mendez with special guests including Dustin Lance Black, Michelle Clunie, Wilson Cruz, Robert Gant, Jason Lewis and Suze Orman.
Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in New York. Additional awards will be presented in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.
- Excellence in Media Award: Tyra Banks (presented by Clay Aiken)
- Vito Russo Award: Suze Orman (presented by T.R. Knight)
- Special Recognition Award: Phil Donahue (presented by Cherry Jones)
- Special Recognition Award: The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later – The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard (presented by Stockard Channing)
- Outstanding Film – Limited Release: TIE: Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom (Logo Features/New Open Door Productions) and Shelter (Regent Releasing)
- Outstanding Documentary: A Jihad For Love (First Run Features)
- Outstanding Daily Drama: As the World Turns (CBS)
- Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love”Countdown with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC)
- Outstanding Newspaper Article: “Owning His Gay Identity – at 15 Years Old” by Theresa Vargas (The Washington Post)
- Outstanding Newspaper Columnist: Leonard Pitts, Jr. (The Miami Herald)
- Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: The New York Times
- Outstanding Magazine Article: “Let God Love Gene Robinson” by Andrew Corsello (GQ)
- Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Newsweek
- Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “Gay Athletes Are Making Their Mark” by LZ Granderson (ESPN.com)
- Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia: “Is Gay the New Black?” by Jessica Bennett and Jennifer Molina (Newsweek.com)
- Outstanding Music Artist: k.d. lang, Watershed
- Outstanding Comic Book: Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Drew Goddard, Jeph Loeb and Joss Whedon (Dark Horse Comics)
- Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off-Broadway: Wig Out! by Tarell Alvin McCraney
- Outstanding New York Theater: Off-Off Broadway: Arias with a Twist by Joey Arias and Basil Twist
SPANISH-LANGUAGE
- Outstanding Novela: Alma de Hierro (Telefutura)
- Outstanding Drama Series: Capadocia (HBO Latino)
- Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): “Duerme, mi bien” Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real (Univision)
- Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Episode: “Juntos hasta el final” Caso Cerrado (Telemundo)
- Outstanding Talk Show Interview: “La primera boda de pareja de transexuales” Don Francisco Presenta(Univision)
- Outstanding Celebrity News Segment: “La Proposición 8″ Paparazzi TV (Mega TV)
- Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Drama de jóvenes hispanos gay: Rechazados por ser gay”Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo)
- Outstanding Newspaper Article: “Confesiones de padre: Hombres gay revelan su orientación a sus hijos” by Lucero Amador Miranda (La Opinión [Los Ángeles])
- Outstanding Newspaper Columnist: Roberto Hernández (Alianza Metropolitan News [San Jos#233;, CA])
- Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: La Opinión [Los Ángeles]
- Outstanding Magazine Article: “Contra viento y marea” by Isis Sauceda and Judith Torrea (People en Español)
- Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: People en Español
- Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “Cuba discutirá derechos gay” by Fernando Ravsberg (BBCMundo.com)
- Outstanding Music Artist: Giovanni Falchetti, Junto a tí
Stars Come Out for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York
March 13, 2009 by GLAAD Blog
**Just announced – A new $100 web-only ticket option!!** Click here to purchase your tickets for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Award in New York City!
We’ve got a tremendous line-up of special guests and honorees to kick off the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM and New York presenting partner Prudential on Saturday, March 28 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
Click to Join Our Facebook Event Page!
Some of our special guests.
20 years ago when the words “gay” and “lesbian” were taboo in the media, we held the first GLAAD Media Awards to honor media for outstanding representations of the LGBT community. We celebrated 34 nominees in seven categories and Phil Donahue received our first Special Honoree award for including real stories about the lives of gay people on Donahue.
This year the GLAAD Media Awards are celebrating their 20th anniversary with 186 nominees in 41 categories and ceremonies in New York on March 28, Los Angeles on April 18 and San Francisco on May 9. You can see all of the nominees by going to: www.glaad.org/mediaawards.
You can be part of this extraordinary night. Come celebrate the GLAAD Media Awards’ 20th anniversary with us by getting your tickets to the event.
Comedian Kate Clinton will be the host of our New York event and there will be many other guests and presenters scheduled to attend, including:
Some of our special guests.
Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan (Top Design)
Former NBA player John Amaechi
Jensen Atwood and Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom)
Tyson Beckford (Make Me A Supermodel)
Michelle Clunie (Queer as Folk)
Tim Gunn (Project Runway)
Van Hansis and Jake Silberman (As the World Turns)
Cherry Jones (24)
Jay Manuel (America’s Next Top Model)
Some of our special guests.
S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order)
Jasika Nicole (Fringe)
Chris Noth (Sex & the City)
Keith Olbermann (MSNBC)
Ana Ortiz, Michael Urie and Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty)
Jenny Shimizu
Hannah Storm (ESPN)
Jane Velez-Mitchell (CNN)
Junior Vasquez will be the guest DJ at the after-party.
Awards will be presented onstage in the following categories: Outstanding Film – Limited Release, Outstanding Documentary, Outstanding TV Journalism Segment, Outstanding Digital Journalism Article, and Outstanding Spanish-Language Magazine Overall Coverage.
Clay Aiken will present the Excellence in Media Award to Tyra Banks for increasing the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community through her work. Banks has consistently featured LGBT people on The Tyra Banks Show and continues to increase the visibility of the community through the diversity of her co-hosts and contestants on America’s Next Top Model, including her inclusion of Isis King, the show’s first transgender contestant, on the most recently completed cycle.
Suze Orman 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 our community. The six-time New York Times bestselling author and two-time Emmy Award winner has raised the profile of LGBT Americans by using her position in the public eye to convey that financial planning is a concern for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
A Special Recognition award will be presented to Phil Donahue who, twenty years after receiving our first Special Honor, continues to be a vocal supporter of the LGBT community.
The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later – The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard will also receive a Special Recognition award. The two hour documentary on Sirius XM Radio narrated by acclaimed actress Stockard Channing and featuring an introduction by GLAAD Media Award-winning journalist Barbara Walters shared the stories of individuals touched by the critically acclaimed play The Laramie Project and its discussion of hate crimes.
The GLAAD Media Awards wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of our corporate partners. More than 100 corporate sponsors are showing their support, including National Presenting Partner IBM and Local Presenting Partners ABSOLUT® VODKA and Prudential. GLAAD is also grateful to the event’s Platinum Underwriters Comcast, TimeWarner and University of Phoenix. Allstate Insurance Company, American Airlines, Barefoot Wine, Disney/ABC Television Group, HMS Media, Herb Ritts Foundation, New York City Marriott & Renaissance Hotels, Renaissance New York Hotel, MillerCoors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Southwest Airlines, The Terry Watanabe Charitable Trust and Wyndham Hotel Group support the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards as Underwriter Partners.
Don’t miss out… Click here and purchase your tickets today!
NYC LGBT Center Hosts “Real World” Debut Party
February 11, 2009 by Justin Cole, GLAAD's Director of Digital Media
If you’re going to be in New York City tonight, you should stop by XES Lounge to celebrate the NYC LGBT Center’s debut on this season of “The Real World: Brooklyn.” This season is The Real World’s most LGBT inclusive yet, with the Center playing a prominent role as three of the cast members’ place of work.
As you may remember, GLAAD was able to get exclusive interviews with many members of the cast. If you haven’t yet seen the interviews with Ryan & Chet, J.D. and Scott, Sarah, or Katelynn you should check them out!
The cast will be at XES Lounge, 157 W 24th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues, tonight from 8-10:30pm. You can read more information on the event here by clicking here.
OUTAuction 2008
November 25, 2008 by Justin Cole, GLAAD's Director of Digital Media
A big thank you to everyone who attended GLAAD’s 7th Annual OUTAuction this past Sunday at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. Close to 600 people attended the event and over $135,000 was raised!
OUTAuction is a unique event for GLAAD – a chance for art patrons, collectors, artists, celebrities and friends of GLAAD to come out and support our work while viewing and bidding on 100 pieces from both established and emerging artists.
The event drew notables like three time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Edward Albee, actor Jensen Atwood from Logo’s hit show Noah’s Arc, celebrated portrait artist Robert Risko, fashion designer and Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth, and many more.
Attendees were able to bid on pieces through a silent and a live auction. The live auction included works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Herb Ritts. We were lucky enough to be assisted in displaying the pieces during the live auction by both Jensen Atwood and by Derek and Drew Riker, the subjects in the Herb Ritts piece being auctioned.
The winning bidder of the Herb Ritts piece not only got to take the original custom framed photograph home, they also got their picture taken with the Riker twins AND the twins offered up a private lunch at the last moment to help drive up the bidding price.
At the event we also announced the 2008 OUTAuction Emerging Artist winners. The winner are selected from hundreds of submissions falling into three categories - Photography, Mixed Media, and Painting/Drawing.
This year’s winners are below.
2008 Best Emerging Artist – Photography
“Birthing of Epiphany” by Troy Duham & Jeff Eason
2008 Best Emerging Artist – Painting/Drawing
“Muslim Icon” by Komail Aijazuddin
2008 Best Emerging Artist – Mixed Media
“White 2″ by Dragana Zoric
Our professional photographer will have more pictures from the event soon. For now, take a peek at some of the shots I took here.
Support GLAAD & Attend the Hollywood Premiere of “Milk”
October 27, 2008 by Justin Cole, GLAAD's Director of Digital Media
We at GLAAD are very excited for people to learn about Harvey Milk’s life and the work he did for the LGBT community when they see the upcoming release of Focus Features’ film “Milk.”
Now, through a generous donation from Focus Features, we’re giving our members a chance to support GLAAD and be among the first to see the film at the red-carpet Hollywood premiere! You’ll also get to mingle with the stars, the director, and Hollywood royalty at the VIP After Party.
All you need to do is visit www.ebay.com/glaad to place a bid on the auction package. All proceeds will benefit the work we do here at GLAAD.
The winner of the auction will get to attend the Hollywood Premiere of “MILK,” starring Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna and James Franco. Time, date, and location are below:
November 13, 7:30 PM
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills
(Winner & guest must be at least 21 years old)
“Milk“ stars the Academy Award winner Sean Penn and is directed by Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant. In anticipation of the media coverage surrounding the November premiere, we released a resource kit for journalists who are reporting on the film to ensure fair and accurate coverage of Harvey Milk’s life.
The biopic chronicles the advocacy work of Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America when, in 1977, he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum and was responsible for passing a gay rights ordinance.
Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely assassination in 1978, a pioneer in the gay rights movement. ”Milk” was filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black and produced by Academy Award winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen.
We encourage you to support GLAAD by participating in the auction and to see ”Milk“ when it premieres on November 26 (in select cities) and December 5 and 12 (in additional cities). 
