President Barack Obama addressed the crowd at the second annual Logo “Trailblazer Honors” with a special video message that celebrated the network's tenth anniversary and the remarkable progress the LGBT equality movement has made over the last decade. Out actress Samira Wiley (“Orange is the New Black”) and out retired NBA player Jason Collins introduced the video message and paid tribute to the Obama administration for its commitment to bettering the lives of LGBT Americans. The “Trailblazer Honors,” which celebrate pioneers at the forefront of the march to LGBT equality, air Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Logo.
Logo also announced that Miley Cyrus will open the “Trailblazer Honors” with a special video message.
President Obama highlighted ten years of extraordinary progress for LGBT Americans and the country during his message:
"I’m honored to help start the party. Tonight is a chance to celebrate, not just ten years of Logo, but ten years of extraordinary progress for our country. When this network aired its first show, gay marriage was a political wedge issue used to divide us. Today the majority of Americans live in states where they can get married, no matter who they love. Today “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is history. We passed the hate crime law that bears Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.’s name. And all you have to do is look at this month’s cover of Vanity Fair to see how America is more accepting of people for who they truly are. We still have plenty of work to do together, but tonight is a reminder that when everybody does their part, when every voice is heard, change is not just possible – change is inevitable. So here’s to ten extraordinary years, and all the years to come. Let’s keep standing together to make sure every American is treated with dignity and respect they deserve.”
