Awards Season Update: PGA, DGA, NAACP Image Awards & People’s Choice Awards
January 7, 2010
Nominations were announced this week for the Directors Guild Awards, the Producers Guild Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards, as well as winners for the People’s Choice Awards. All recognized a range of LGBT-inclusive work, but one film in particular rose above the rest.
Openly gay director Lee Daniels and actress Paula Patton were recognized this week for Precious
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, received a slew of nominations from the NAACP Image Awards, which honor performances by people of color in film, television, music, and literature. In addition to nominations for Motion Picture and Independent Motion Picture, the entire central cast of Precious was recognized, including a Supporting Actress nod for Paula Patton, who played the lesbian teacher who ultimately becomes Precious’ savior. Openly gay director Lee Daniels was nominated for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.
Daniels was also recognized for his work by the Directors Guild, making him a strong contender for an Academy Award nomination. Furthermore, Precious was one of ten films recognized by the Producers Guild.
Other Image Award nominees of note include Glee and Ugly Betty for Outstanding Comedy Series, Grey’s Anatomy and The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for Outstanding Drama Series, Rosie O’Donnell for her role in the Lifetime TV movie America, and Wanda Sykes: I’ma Be Me for Outstanding Variety.
The People’s Choice Awards were presented live last night on CBS, and though Twilight: New Moon dominated the film awards, the LGBT community was recognized in several other categories. Bisexual superstar Lady Gaga triumphed over openly gay popstar Adam Lambert to win Favorite Breakout Music Artist in addition to being named Favorite Pop Artist. Glee was named Favorite New TV Comedy and out creator Kevin Williamson’s Vampire Diaries was named Favorite New TV Drama. True Blood was voted Favorite TV Obesssion, House was the Favorite TV Drama and The Ellen DeGeneres Show was crowned Favorite Talk Show.
Related Posts:NAACP Image Awards Winners
February 13, 2009
Though we reported last month that the NAACP Image Awards held an unprecedented number of LGBT-inclusive nominations in its 40th year, sadly, these noms didn’t turn to gold last night.
Even though gay talent like Wanda Sykes (The New Adventures of Old Christine) and Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom) were recognized through their nominations, both were beat out by their straight colleagues. Straight actors playing gay characters like Paul James (GREEK), Sonja Sohn (The Wire) and Michael K. Williams (The Wire) went home empty-handed as well.
Patrick-Ian Polk
The only LGBT-inclusive nominee to win was ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, which was awarded Outstanding Drama Series.
For a complete list of LGBT nominees, please click here.
For a complete list of NAACP Image Awards winners, please click here.
Crossroads: The Intersection of Black & LGBT Images
February 13, 2009
With both The Wire and Noah’s Arc now part of television history, there are currently — and depressingly — few on-screen television characters who are both gay and black.
Marcellas Reynolds and Sonja Sohn
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the NAACP and the 40th NAACP Image Awards, the lack of African American LGBT representation was the crux of a forum hosted in Los Angeles this week by GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition. “Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media” was a standing-room only event that took place at the Screen Actors Guild, co-sponsored by SAG’s LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch of the NAACP.
The evening began with a historical video retrospective of black and LGBT images produced by Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear, the creative duo behind The DL Chronicles. The two were also part of the evening’s lively panel discussion alongside actor/director/writer Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry, The Ski Trip); performer J. Karen Thomas, founding member of the SAG LGBT Actors Committee; TV personality Marcellas Reynolds; performer and activist Ashley Love, host of the online series LGB to the T; actor and NAACP Image Award nominee Sonja Sohn (The Wire), and Willis Edwards, member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. The event was moderated by Rashad Robinson, GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs and featured remarks from SAG Interim Executive Director David White and Alice Huffman, President of the California State NAACP.
PSA Featuring Michael & Xavier
The forum explored potential reasons behind the under-representation and how this history of invisibility may have affected voting on California’s Proposition 8. Apropos, the 30-second commercial from GettoKnowUsFirst.org featuring the African American family headed by Michael and Xavier was shown to the audience. The spot ran in California television markets during the inauguration, Super Bowl, and the NAACP Image Awards. The absence of these kind of images on television, the panelists suggested, makes the idea of someone being gay and black something foreign and strange to many in the African American community. “Most communication is non-verbal. Whether it’s in a film or on TV or in a commercial, we’re very affected by what we see,” said panelist J. Karen Thomas. “So just by having an image of a black gay, bisexual or lesbian, it alters your awareness and your imagination of what can be possible.”
The panelists agreed that African American representation, LGBT or not, is influential. “When I first saw A Different World and The Cosby Show, I thought, ‘I can go to college,’” admitted Deondray Gossett. “These images really affected the way I thought about the future. I think these images are absolutely essential. If it’s done well, TV can shape young minds.”
"Knocking" panel audience
Featuring black LGBT representation provides a necessary and accurate reflection of the African American community. The panelists, like GLAAD, understand the impact the entertainment industry has on America and the world, and all are working to not only help the industry understand that responsibility, but to realize that diversity and inclusion is also good business.
What to Watch: Thursday
February 12, 2009
So much television to take in! Not only the very special NAACP Image Awards, which has a ton of LGBT nominees, as well as the GLAAD Media Award-nominated film Save Me on Showtime, plus new episodes of Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy and The Office.
> 8:00 PM Ugly Betty, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Betty makes a video tribute for Claire Meade’s 60th birthday party (which means we are treated to the incomparable Judith Light tonight) but of course embarrasses herself in the process. Oh, Betty.
Michael K. Williams and Sonja Sohn
> 8:00 PM NAACP Image Awards, Fox (2 hrs) NEW
LGBT-inclusive projects and artists abound when the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards air tonight. Nominees include Wanda Sykes and Patrik-Ian Polk, as well as Michael K. Williams and Sonja Sohn, who both played groundbreaking gay characters on the critically-acclaimed HBO series, The Wire.
> 9:00 PM Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (1 hr) NEW
It’s crossover mania when the team from Private Practice pays a visit to Seattle Grace. Maybe Addison can have more gay girl talk with Callie? Please?
> 9:00 PM The Office, NBC (30 min) NEW
Angela tries to adopt a new cat, annoying Oscar to no end.
> 9:00 PM Hell’s Kitchen, Fox (1 hr) NEW
14 chefs remain to obtain the “head chef” position at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. One of the contestants is a lesbian from Las Vegas named LA.
> 9:15 PM Save Me, Showtime (2 hrs) NEW
A young gay man (Chad Allen) who is engaging in risky sexual behavior and abusing drugs is sent to a Christian retreat where he is to be “cured” of his homosexuality, but his relationship with his assigned mentor turns romantic.
Black LGBT Media Images Explored
February 4, 2009
On the eve of the 40th NAACP Image Awards, the National Black Justice Coalition and GLAAD will host a forum in Los Angeles on the infrequent intersection of African American and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images in media, and the importance of these stories being told, particularly in the wake of California’s Proposition 8.
“Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media” will explore the historical under-representation of these images, the ongoing advocacy efforts to promote the telling of these stories and the professional issues and challenges facing openly gay African American artists.
The Screen Actors Guild LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch of the NAACP will co-sponsor the forum, open to the public, on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7pm at the Screen Actors Guild James Cagney Board Room.
Confirmed panelists include:
Willis Edwards, Member, National Board of Directors, NAACP; Vice Chair of the NAACP Image Awards
Deondray Gossett, Writer/Producer/Director, “The DL Chronicles”
Maurice Jamal, Writer/Producer/Director, “Dirty Laundry,” “The Ski Trip”
Marcellas Reynolds, TV Host/Correspondent, E! Networks
Sonja Sohn, Actor, “The Wire”
J. Karen Thomas, Actor; Founding Member SAG LGBT Actors Committee
Moderated by:
Rashad Robinson, GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs
WHAT: “Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media”
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009; 7pm – 9pm
WHERE: Screen Actors Guild
James Cagney Board Room, First Floor
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-3600
PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED
RSVP ESSENTIAL: entertainment@glaad.org
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Damon Romine, GLAAD, 323/634-2012
“For the first time we have five openly gay individuals and multiple gay-themed projects nominated at the NAACP Image Awards,” said Jasper Hendricks, NBJC Director of Field Operations. “We are hopeful this historic achievement will begin to break down barriers to openly LGBT arts and entertainment professionals in getting roles and jobs in the industry. We need to continue to highlight our successes and this forum will be a part of educating the media and the industry as to the issues LGBT people face.”
“This year’s nominees for the NAACP Image Awards demonstrate significant progress at a time when LGBT African Americans continue to be underrepresented in the media and those representations are often based on stereotypes,” said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson, who will serve as moderator of the panel. “We hope that through open dialogue with industry leaders at forums like this, we can continue to open doors for stories and images of our lives and our communities. These stories – when told in a fair, accurate and inclusive way – have the power to change hearts and minds.”
Patrik-Ian Polk Jumps to an Image Award Nom
January 28, 2009
Gay auteur Patrik-Ian Polk just nabbed an NAACP Image Award nomination for his direction of Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom. He’s in good company: Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Darnell Martin are also nominated, but Polk is the only one with an LGBT film.
The 40th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Halle Berry and Tyler Perry, airs live on Fox Feb. 12.
Good luck, Patrik!
NAACP Image Awards Nominations are LGBT-Inclusive
January 8, 2009
The nominations for the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced yesterday, and we are pleased to report that many of them are for LGBT-inclusive projects.
Established in 1967, at the height of the civil rights movement, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier event to honor outstanding black actors, actresses, writers, producers and directors.
Below is a list of LGBT-inclusive nominees. For a complete list, please click here.
Wanda Sykes
Outstanding Comedy Series — Ugly Betty
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series — Paul James*, GREEK
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Wanda Sykes**, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Outstanding Drama Series — Grey’s Anatomy, House, Lincoln Heights, The Wire
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series — Blair Underwood*, In Treatment
Michael Kenneth Williams as Omar in The Wire
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Michael Kenneth Williams*, The Wire
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Sonja Sohn*, The Wire
Outstanding Reality Series — Project Runway
Noah's Arc
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture — Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series — Liz Friedman & Sara Hess – House – “Lucky Thirteen”
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture — Patrik-Ian Polk & John R. Gordon – Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction — E. Lynn Harris**, “Just Too Good to Be True”
*plays LGBT character
**artist is LGBT
The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards will be broadcast live Thursday, Feb. 12 at 8 PM on Fox.
