Gay Character Has No Future on AMC’s Mad Men
January 28, 2010
According to a TV Guide article, Mad Men’s Salvatore Romano will be the only character not returning for the show’s fourth season.
Near the end of the last year’s third season, closeted Art Director Salvatore Romano, played by openly gay actor Bryan Batt, was fired when he wouldn’t have sex with a potential male client. TV Guide confirmed that the Romano character will not return to the show this season.
Bryan Batt will likely not have a job on Mad Men next season.
With a new season scheduled to start production in March, Batt expressed concern that he would no longer be in the cast, commenting “I was supposed to be notified by December 31, and nothing.” This week in an interview with TV Guide, Mad Men’s creator, Matthew Weiner affirmed Batt’s concern when he said losing Batt “was a tough moment for the show, but that’s where we are. I know how people felt about Bryan. I obviously love working with him, and he has been an indelible character since the pilot. But I felt it was an expression of the times that he couldn’t work there anymore. It’s the ultimate case of sexual harassment.”
While the Mad Men character’s story is fictional, his firing mirrors a reality for thousands of Americans today who, in 29 states, can still be fired for being gay. Because of Mad Men‘s overall outstanding quality and the inclusion of Romano in the story lines, the show was recently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series. We believe that by completely eliminating Romano’s character, Mad Men is missing an opportunity to explore a wealth of untapped stories.
GLAAD urges people who feel strongly about Weiner’s decision to eliminate this character to voice their concerns. Post on Mad Men’s Twitter, post a comment on the show’s Facebook fan page, call AMC Viewer Relations at (646) 273-7105, or send a letter to AMC at:
11 Penn Plaza, 15th floor
New York, NY 10001
GLAAD Announces the Nominees for the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards
January 13, 2010
GLAAD announced the nominees on Wednesday for its 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. By recognizing and honoring media for outstanding images of the LGBT community, the GLAAD Media Awards serve as a benchmark for the media industry and complement GLAAD’s work to bring LGBT images and stories to Americans.
Among the nominees are Tom Ford’s Golden Globe®-nominated film A Single Man, Lee Daniel’s Golden Globe®-nominated film Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, Ang Lee’s latest film Taking Woodstock, the film Little Ashes, starring Robert Pattinson, AMC’s acclaimed drama Mad Men, Fox’s hit show Glee, and ABC’s new hit comedy Modern Family.
“Words and images matter,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “With these awards, we seek to recognize news coverage and entertainment programming that go beyond stock stereotypes with LGBT storylines that more fully reflect the challenges gay and transgender people face and the aspirations we hold for ourselves and our families.
“News and entertainment media that present richer, more diverse representations help Americans understand and embrace their gay and transgender family members, friends and neighbors in a more meaningful way. We are proud to recognize all of this year’s GLAAD Media Awards nominees.”
For a complete list of nominees, please click here.
GLAAD also announced that Cynthia Nixon will be honored with the Vito Russo Award at the New York ceremony. The Vito Russo Award is named after a founding member of GLAAD and is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community.
GLAAD also announced that the cast of the Broadway sensation Hair would receive Special Recognition for their commitment to raising visibility for marriage equality.
Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming will host the ceremony in New York on March 13, 2010. The San Francisco event will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian and writer Bruce Vilanch on June 5 at The Westin St. Francis. And the Los Angeles ceremonies will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on April 17.
GLAAD invites you to join us in honoring our nominees for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
To buy your ticket, click here.
For the latest information about the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, visit GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Nominees Announced for 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising
September 14, 2009
The nominees for the 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Southwest Airlines were announced on Monday.
Corporations like Progressive, Southwest, Wells Fargo, Travelocity and many others will be celebrated for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBT people in marketing and advertising campaigns.
“As with other forms of media, advertising has the power to change hearts and minds,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Companies that promote fair, accurate and inclusive images of the LGBT community in advertising send an important message to their customers, to corporations and to any consumer who sees their ads. We will be recognizing those companies that do just that, and in so doing, set a standard to which other companies may aspire.”
GLAAD will also honor Subaru for the corporation’s longstanding and public commitment to the LGBT consumer, as well as Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams for including LGBT stories in advertising for their company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and for their personal efforts to advocate for LGBT equality.
For a complete list of nominees and ads, please visit www.glaad.org/advertisingawards/nominees.
The 1st Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising presented by Southwest Airlines will be held in New York City on October 27, 2009 at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street. To purchase tickets for the event, please visit www.glaad.org/advertisingawards.
Related Posts:Network Responsibility Index Continues to be Covered on TV and Blogs
August 4, 2009
Since the release of GLAAD’s third annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI) last week, the blogosphere has been abuzz with responses to the report. CBS and SyFy have promised big changes and Chelsea Handler comedically pointed out a few things she thinks we missed.
Video courtesy of E! Online:
We at GLAAD always appreciate Chelsea’s humor. A strong and hilarious ally to the gay community, she hosted the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco earlier this year, so despite what some blogs would have you believe, there is no feud between GLAAD and Chelsea Handler. We thank her for bringing attention to the NRI on her Chelsea Lately!
The NRI analyzes programming on the five broadcast networks, the eight highest rated non-children’s/news/sports cable networks plus HBO and Showtime which, as subscription networks, do not receive as many viewers but are considered to be among the major cable networks.
Paul James as gay frat boy Calvin Owens on ABC Family's Greek
E! was not among those networks this year. However, because ratings change from year to year, the ten cable networks counted this year are not necessarily the ten that will be counted in next year’s NRI. Case in point: the second annual NRI counted Spike, which was replaced this year by Sci Fi (now SyFy). This may change again in next year’s report. Several cable networks that did not crack our top ten but air significant LGBT content, such as ABC Family, Bravo and BBC America, were included in the “Additional Cable Overview” found in the rear of the NRI.
Bloggers also wondered why daytime television was not included in the report. There is little question that the daytime TV landscape for LGBT characters is better today than it has ever been. We commend the writers of daily dramas such as As the World Turns, The Young & The Restless, Guiding Light and One Life to Live for seamlessly incorporating LGBT characters into their stories. However, tracking 6,113.5 hours of primetime network and cable television is a big task.
While right now we do not have the staff capacity to include daytime in the NRI, we do monitor storylines and recognize outstanding representations in the Daily Drama category at the GLAAD Media Awards.
Related Posts:What to Watch: Tuesday
May 19, 2009
Stay tuned to Fox after The Adam Lambert Show (AKA: American Idol) and catch a very special sneak preview of Glee, the much anticipated new series from Ryan Murphy!
Tuesday, May 19
8:00 pm American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
Show-stopping rocker Adam Lambert made it to the final two! Tonight he faces off against cutie-pie crooner Kris Allen live from the Nokia Theater (site of the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles). Be sure to vote early and vote often everyone!
Tonight, we'll be singing with "Glee!"
9:00 pm Glee, Fox (1 hr) SNEAK PREVIEW
The full season wont start airing until the fall, but tune in after American Idol for a sneak peek at the pilot from out creator Ryan Murphy. Glee centers around an optimistic teacher who sets out to energize the high school glee club, which features Kurt, a soprano with a flair for the dramatic, as well as a student with two gay dads. Jane Lynch stars as the gruff cheerleading coach.
9:00 pm Dancing with the Stars, ABC (2 hrs) SEASON FINALE
Which couples will win the giant trophy? Gay judge Bruno Tonioli weighs in.
10:00 pm College Hill: South Beach, BET (30 min) NEW
Two LGBT housemates live in the College Hill house this season: Alyson is bisexual and Kyle is gay.
10:00 pm Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment, Discovery (1 hr) NEW
Get a blanket to watch this one! Nine strangers are dropped into the middle of the snowy Alaskan wilderness as they try to survive the harsh winter. Jake is a gay contestant determined to conquer this challenge.
In the Life Presents “Confronting Crisis”
May 11, 2009
Throughout the month of May, PBS affiliates will be airing “Confronting Crisis,” the latest edition of In the Life, the long-running LGBT-centric news program.
In the Life’s 2008 episode “Funding the Marriage War” received the award for Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine this past weekend at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco. “Confronting Crisis” continues In the Life’s long-standing record of excellence as it examines the AIDS epidemic as it has affected LGBT communities of color and interviews Kris Hayashi and Glen Francis, the executive directors of two organizations at the forefront of the issue.
You can check out the In the Life website for airtimes, or view the entire episode online.
20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Hold Final Event in San Francisco
April 30, 2009
The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards season will come to a close on Saturday, May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco in California. The always hysterical comedian Chelsea Handler will be on hand to host the show and announce winners!
Chelsea Handler
After a fantastic line-up of celebrities and special guests joined GLAAD to show their support for LGBT-inclusive media images, in New York City on March 28 and Los Angeles on April 18, we have more famous faces that will help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the culture-changing Awards.
You can be part of this extraordinary night by purchasing your tickets to the silent auction, Awards dinner, and after party. And this year, we’ve announced special $100 show only tickets!
Special guests and presenters scheduled to attend, include:
Calpernia Addams
Megan Cavanagh
Gabrielle Christian
Michelle Clunie
Laverne Cox
Wilson Cruz
Robert Gant
Dan Jinks
Jason Lewis
Mandy Musgrave
Suze Orman
Simon Rex
Eduardo Xol
Judge David Young
Awards will be presented onstage in the following categories: Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Reality Program and Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine.
Chad Allen
Actor and producer Chad Allen will receive the Davidson/Valentini Award, which is named after Craig Davidson, GLAAD’s first executive director, and his partner Michael Valentini. The award is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. Through his acting roles and film projects, Allen has amplified the voices of LGBT community.
Just in 2008, in addition to appearing as openly gay detective Donald Strachey in here! Networks’ The Donald Strachey Mystery Series, Allen served as a producer on the film Save Me, which offered audiences a look into the world of so-called “ex gay ministries.” The Donald Strachey Mystery Series is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie this year and Save Me is a nominee for Outstanding Film – Limited Release.
Not only is Chad Allen an advocate as an actor and producer but he has been a vocal supporter for marriage equality in interviews with news outlets including CNN’s Larry King Live.
Dustin Lance Black
Dustin Lance Black will receive a Special Recognition Award for his work to raise visibility of our community as a screenwriter on the films Milk and Pedro. And who could forget his moving acceptance speech calling for marriage equality at the Academy Awards this year while wearing a white knot.
Geoff Callan & Mike Shaw, the filmmakers responsible for the documentary Pursuit of Equality will take home the San Francisco Local Hero Award. The film is an emotionally charged documentary that puts a face on American citizens who strive for marriage equality and gives viewers an inside look at Mayor Gavin Newsom’s decision to allow the first same-sex couple to exchange their vows. This past year, Callan and Shaw took the film across California to fight the anti-gay Proposition 8.
The San Francisco Awards will also include two very special performances by out pop music phenomenon Matt Alber and extraordinary violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with the New Century Chamber Orchestra.
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, NBC Universal, 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!
The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards – Los Angeles
April 23, 2009
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]
Aqui y Ahora Recibe Premio GLAAD / Aqui y Ahora Receives GLAAD Media Award
April 21, 2009
Jessica Alba, who presented the GLAAD Media Award for best film, wide release
One of the most amazing moments in a great night at the GLAAD Media Awards this Saturday occurred when the award for Best News Magazine in Spanish Language Media was presented to Aqui y Ahora. The winning segment told the story of Angie Zapata, a young transgender woman who was murdered in Greeley, Colorado last year. Featured prominently in the story was Monica Zapata, Angie’s sister.
GLAAD brought Monica to Los Angeles, where she accepted the award, along with producer Belissa Morillo. At GLAAD, we are so proud of people like Monica and other members of the Zapata family, who not only speak out in memory of their loved one, but become fierce and incredibly important allies to our community.
We’re also so proud of the work of journalists like the reporters and producers of Aqui y Ahora – not to mentoin the executives who make their work possible – for telling these important stories and being respectful and inclusive of our community while meeting high standards of journalistic integrity and excellence. All of the segments in this category and, indeed, in all of our Spanish-language categories were of exceptionally high quality and show real progress in the way that media is telling LGBT stories en español.
For more on the awards, please visit glaad.org.
Producer Belissa Morillo and Monica Zapata, sister of murdered transgender teenager Angie Zapata, accepted the award for Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism – Newsmagazine
Unos de los momentos mas especiales en Los Premios GLAAD este sábado ocurrió cuando se presentó el Premio GLAAD por Mejor Segmento Televisivo de Revista Periodística, en Español a Aqui y Ahora. El segmento contó la historia de Angie Zapata, una joven transgénero quien fue asesinada en Greeley Colorado. Una importante parte de este segmento fue la entrevista con la hermana de Angie, Monica Zapata.
El sábado, GLAAD trajo a Monica a Los Angeles donde ella aceptó el premio, al lado de productora Belissa Morillo. Nosotros en GLAAD estamos tan orgullosos de personas como Monica (y el resto de la familia de Angie) quienes no solo hablan de la memoria de su ser querido pero tambien son fuertes aliados de todos nosotros en la comunidad.
También estamos orgullosos de periodistas y productores del equipo de Aqui y Ahora, y de los ejecutivos quienes hacen este trabajo posible, por crear historias que son excelentes en su periodismo y tambien tratan a nuestra comunidad de manera inclusiva y respetuosa.
Todos los segmentos en esta categoría, e incluso en todas las categorias de este año, eran de calidad excepcional y muestran verdadero progreso en la manera que los medios cuentan historias LGBT en español.
Para saber más sobre los Premios GLAAD, por favor visite a glaad.org.
Stars Come Out for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles
April 7, 2009
We’ve got an exceptional line-up of special guests and honorees to continue the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday April 18th at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California.
The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards kicked off in New York City on March 28. A fantastic line up of celebrities and media professionals came out to show their support for fair and accurate media images of the LGBT community.
More famous faces will come out in Los Angeles to be honored and show support for our community. You can be part of this extraordinary night. Come celebrate the GLAAD Media Awards’ 20th anniversary in Los Angeles with us by getting your tickets to the event, starting at just $50.
Special guests and presents scheduled to attend, include:
Jessica Alba
Chad Allen
Jennifer Beals, Lauren Holloman, Leisha Hailey, Pam Grier,
Katherine Moennig and Illene Chaiken (The L Word)
Dustin Lance Black
Michelle Clunie
Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks
Wilson Cruz
Alan Cumming
JD Disalvatore
Scott Michael Foster
Robert Grant
Rebecca Gayheart
Balthazar Getty
Thea Gill
Teri Hatcher
Paul James
T. R. Knight
Rex Lee
Megan Mullally
Nichelle Nichols
Peter Paige
Brad Rowe
Darryl Stephens
Amber Stevens
George Takei
Gus Van Sant
Trevor Wright
Awards will be presented onstage in the following categories:
Outstanding Film – Wide Release, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character, Outstanding Talk Show Episode, Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism – Newsmagazine.
Kathy Griffin will receive the Vanguard Award, which is presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. A long time ally of the LGBT community, Kathy Griffin consistently includes LGBT people on the two-time Emmy-winning reality program Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,as well as in her comedy specials, her Grammy-nominated comedy CD For Your Consideration, and in her stand-up routines around the world.
This year Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List received its second consecutive GLAAD Media Awards nomination for Outstanding Reality Program. When not making audiences around the world laugh on television or stage, she is a vocal supporter of marriage equality in interviews with media outlets including Larry King Live. In 2008, she appeared in a public service announcement produced by human rights group Causecast urging viewers to vote against Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.
Bishop Gene Robinson will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for his work to raise visibility of LGBT-inclusive voices of faith. Bishop Robinson became the first openly gay Bishop of the Episcopal Church after he was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2004. He most recently delivered the invocation at the opening celebration of the Presidential Inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial.
His ongoing work as a LGBT advocate has been featured in international news outlets including The New York Times, Reuters and NPR. His personal story is featured in the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So and in his 2008 book In the Eye of the Storm. For the Bible Tells Me So profiles several LGBT families discussing their Christian faith and received the award for Outstanding Documentary at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Robinson joins Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Bill Condon, Todd Haynes, Alan Ball, Ellen DeGeneres and Sir Ian McKellen as a recipient of the award, which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community.
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!
Check out GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano below, speaking at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards in New York on March 28, 2009.
Nominees and special guests for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 18th gathered for an informal reception for table hosts on March 31.
Photos by Brian Putnam
Thea Gill & Robert Gant (Queer As Folk)
Nick Oceano (Director), Alex Loynaz (Pedro), Alex Castillo (Pedro)
Trevor Wright (Shelter) & Laura Shields
Wilson Cruz & Steve Wozencraft
JD Disalvatore (Producer, Shelter), Chris Hulen (SHELTER), Wilson Cruz & Elliot Elsner (Membership Events Coordinator, GLAAD)
Dan Jinks & Matt Whitney
Darryl Stephens (Noah's Arc)
Christian Vincent (Noah’s Arc), Darryl Stephens (Noah’s Arc), Robert Williams & J. Michael Durnhil (Senior Vice President, GLAAD)
Bruce Cohen (Producer, Milk), Jeremy Glazer (Save Me) & Chad Allen
Sirius XM’s Derek & Romaine at the GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
April 3, 2009
Watch Romaine Patterson and Derek Hartley receive a Special Recognition Award at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. They are introduced by award winning actor Stockard Channing:
Keith Olbermann at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
April 2, 2009
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
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.
A Jihad for Love Wins at GLAAD Media Awards
March 30, 2009
A Jihad for Love wins best documentary at the GLAAD media awards. Writer/director Parvez Sharma and producer Sandi Dubowski were present to accept the award for their groundbreaking work. From their web site:
(L-R) Director Parvez Sharma and producer Sandi Simcha
Islam today is the world’s second largest and fastest growing religion. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the many worlds of this dynamic faith discovering the stories of its most unlikely storytellers: lesbian and gay Muslims.
Filmed over 5 1/2 years, in 12 countries and 9 languages, “A Jihad for Love” comes from the heart of Islam. Looking beyond a hostile and war-torn present, this film seeks to reclaim the Islamic concept of a greater Jihad, which can mean ‘an inner struggle’ or ‘to strive in the path of God’. In doing so the film and its remarkable subjects move beyond the narrow concept of ‘Jihad’ as holy war.
Pictures and Winners From The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
March 30, 2009
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
