What GLAAD aims to be for young queer people is a safe space for them to find community and be at the forefront of enacting real change within the world. This weekend marked the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. The coveted event brought a vibrancy of expression through a star-studded guest list, an invigorating message to take action in this year’s upcoming presidential election, and a deep sentiment of support for LGBTQ+ youth showing them that when we all stand together, we are unstoppable.
Walking into the open ballroom of Midtown’s New York Hilton, the night’s stars were guests who exemplified statements through fashion. One guest dressed in a floral gown had “proud trans mom” written with a marker on her exposed back, while another guest seemingly walked straight off the runway in a formal tuxedo and bright red stilettos. Brimming with dazzling dresses and vibrant hair of all hues and colors, the room was full of authentic expression and many recognizable faces that offered a sense of pride and belonging.
Host Ross Matthews kicked off the night with an opening monologue that was lighthearted and witty, drawing people in with an open declaration of the work the organization has been making towards acceptance and support for all queer people. Opening with, “Kids and communities know that people love them, and that’s because of the work GLAAD has done,” was a message that marked the beginning of a thread that felt showcased throughout the night.
Among the evening’s winners was episode three of “Our America Who I’m Meant to Be,” a documentary piece that explores the lives of six transgender teenagers who are champions for their community. The episode received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Journalism—Long-Form presented by Don Lemon. “I want to thank all of the trans people who came before me and who will come after me,” says featured teen Eve May. “This is not a one and done moment, it’s been happening, and it will continue to happen”
Jennifer Hudson and her eponymous television talk show won the prime awards of the night for Outstanding Variety for Talk Show Episode. During her acceptance speech, Hudson brought Ian Haddock, activist and founder of Normal Anomaly Initiative, an organization advocating for queer plus persons to amplify their voices and educate others, to the stage.
In an honest message, Haddock shares, “To Black queer youth, you have a home here and a place here in this world. Unfortunately, we cannot promise you safety, but we can promise you every day we are fighting to save you and save ourselves until we all reach liberation.”
As one of the final pieces to the evening’s events, Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, left the stage with a final note that echoed throughout the room sharing the revolutionized efforts from LGBTQIA+ and urging everyone in the room to vote.
“Ten years ago when I started at GLAAD, it was a much different landscape, and now we have the urgent need to protect it all,” she opens. “Our latest poll shows that more than half of American voters are turned off by candidates who are anti-trans. Hating us is becoming a losing proposition. We must keep telling our stories, raising our voices, pushing back on the rhetoric. This is not a fire drill, people. This is the fire. The end of this story is up to you.”
With the upcoming presidential election looming, our community and many of the rights we’ve fought for are at risk. Our voices are needed more now than ever. You have power, and your voice does matter when it comes to us creating change. Go to GLAAD.org/VOTE to learn how to create change in your communities and what’s at stake for the LGBTQ community this election year.