Facebook to receive historic GLAAD Award

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and locally by Southwest Airlines.

In March, GLAAD announced that Facebook would be receiving a Special Recognition Award for the company's strong stand and leadership around bullying prevention as well as its inclusive options for LGBT users.  After violent anti-gay images and comments were posted on a memorial page for LGBT youth, Facebook worked with GLAAD to monitor the highly visible page and launched, in conjunction with several LGBT organizations, the Network of Support. 

Facebook's Andrew Noyes and Sara Sperling, who will accept the award on behalf of Facebook, were instrumental in the creation of the Network of Support, which serves in a consultative capacity to help the company effectively address issues faced by the LGBT community.  Through the Network of Support, Facebook partners with GLAAD; MTV; the Human Rights Campaign (HRC); the Trevor Project; the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN); and Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

High school student Brittany McMillan will present the award. McMillan launched the idea for Spirit Day in 2010 and began working with GLAAD on the annual event which inspires millions of participants to wear purple or change their Facebook photo to purple in support of LGBT youth and to stand up against bullying. Facebook was among the companies that participated last year.

Facebook's leadership on anti-bullying initiatives was also recognized with an invitation to participate in the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention.  There, the company announced it was seeking feedback from teenagers on bullying prevention, aired a special "Facebook Live" broadcast, and unveiled new tools that allow abuse reports to be handled more efficiently. 

Other industry-leading steps Facebook has taken include:

• In September, Facebook launched the Stop Bullying: Speak Up campaign with Time-Warner, which empowers students, educators and parents to help prevent bullying. That campaign launched across Latin America this week.  
• GLAAD and the Network of Support worked with Facebook to give users the options to select "In a Civil Union" and "In a Domestic Partnership," recognizing the relationships of countless loving and committed same-sex couples.
• Additionally, Facebook was among corporate leaders that participated in Spirit Day with GLAAD by encouraging employees to turn Facebook photos purple and wear the color on October 20 as a sign of support for LGBT youth.
• Facebook also added Help Center content that provides specific guidance on how users can help an LGBT person who has posted suicidal material and introduced special reporting procedures for LGBT youth in cooperation with the Trevor Project and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

"Facebook has set the bar high for ensuring LGBT people have a safe space to connect with friends and family," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "GLAAD is pleased to present this award to Facebook in recognition of its efforts to make their platform welcoming to everyone."

GLAAD previously announced that Glee’s Dianna Agron will host the event in San Francisco on June 2 at the Marriott Marquis, and that Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal) will receive the Golden Gate Award, and Wells Fargo will receive the Corporate Leader Award at the ceremony.

The Advocate named Outstanding Magazine at GLAAD Media Awards

The Advocate has been awarded the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage. GLAAD honored the iconic magazine at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremony, held this past Saturday, March 13, in New York City. The Advocate competed in the Outstanding Magazine category with Entertainment Weekly, The Nation, Newsweek, and People.

“We at The Advocate are very honored to be singled out by GLAAD for this award—especially considering the incredibly high journalistic standards of the other nominees,” said The Advocate’s Editor in Chief, Jon Barrett. “This past year has been rich with what might be considered ‘gay news’—whether it be entertainment, politics, or culture. And we at The Advocate will continue to report and provide context to that news in a way that not only represents gay people fairly and accurately, but also challenges and expands our notions of what it means to be gay in today’s world.”

GLAAD Awards honor Tyra Banks, Suze Orman, and many others

Vanessa Williams, Stockard Channing, Cherry Jones, T.R. Knight, Keith Olbermann, Judith Light, Clay Aiken and S. Epatha Merkerson were among the celebrities who joined the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) as it honored Tyra Banks, Suze Orman, Phil Donahue and the best in film, television and journalism last night at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York.

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, present the GLAAD Media Awards to recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.

Lots more after the jump.


At the ceremony, singer Clay Aiken presented the Excellence in Media Award to Tyra Banks, who has shown a 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."

Also at the event, 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."

Actress Cherry Jones presented a Special Recognition Award to Phil Donahue, who was the honoree at the first GLAAD Media Awards in 1990.

"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."

Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom tied with Shelter for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release. The awards were accepted by Patrik-Ian Polk, Jensen Atwood, and Darryl Stephens and Brad Rowe, Trevor Wright and Paul Colichman, respectively. Keith Olbermann accepted a GLAAD Media Award for the segment, "Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love," which aired on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Producer Sandi DuBowski and director Parvez Sharma accepted the award for Outstanding Documentary for A Jihad for Love. ESPN journalist LZ Granderson was honored with the Outstanding Digital Journalism Article award for his piece, "Gay Athletes Are Making Their Mark." And People En Español was awarded Outstanding Spanish-Language Magazine Overall Coverage, accepted by Angel Linares, Judith Torrea and Ernesto Sanchez.

A Special Recognition Award was also presented to The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later – The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard, a two-hour radio documentary which aired on Sirius XM Radio. The award was presented by actress Stockard Channing and was accepted by Romaine Patterson and Derek Hartley, hosts of The Derek and Romaine Show on Sirius XM Radio, with Katie Castellano who produced the documentary.

At the event, GLAAD also unveiled their new GLAAD Media Awards statuette. GLAAD worked with David Moritz at Society Awards to create the new trophy – the first time the organization has re-designed their statuette since the inception of the GLAAD Media Awards.

Comedian Kate Clinton hosted the show, and singer Jennifer Holliday performed for the capacity crowd. Other guests and presenters at the event included: Chris Noth; Ana Ortiz and Michael Urie (Ugly Betty); Jonathan Adler, Simon Doonan (Top Design); Daniel Sunjata; Heather Matarazzo; Tim Gunn, Christian Siriano (Project Runway); Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann (As the World Turns); Hannah Storm; Jane Velez-Mitchell; Jasika Nicole; Jay Manuel; Jenny Shimizu; Brad Boles; Jack Mackenroth; DeMarco Majors; Tarell Alvin McCraney; Joshua Cruz; Michelle Clunie; New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman; David Mixner; and former GLAAD Executive Director, Joan Garry. Guests at the after-party enjoyed the music of renowned DJ Junior Vasquez.

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:Â 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:Â A Jihad For Love (First Run Features)
Outstanding Daily Drama: As the World Turns (CBS)
Outstanding TV Journalism Segment:Â "Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love" Countdown with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC)Â
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"Â 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 EspañolÂ
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: "Cuba discutirá derechos gay" by Fernando Ravsberg (BBCMundo.com)
Outstanding Music Artist: Giovanni Falchetti, Junto a tí
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. AT&T, 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.




Kathy Griffin to be honored at GLAAD awards

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today that Kathy Griffin will receive the Vanguard Award and the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The Los Angeles ceremony will be held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Saturday, April 18, 2009. In recognition of its final season on Showtime, 'The L Word' will receive a Special Recognition Award.

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. The Vanguard Award is presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. Past recipients of the Vanguard Award include Janet Jackson, Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Read about the other honorees and attendees after the jump.


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. Robinson will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for his work to raise visibility of LGBT-inclusive voices of faith. 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.

Showtime drama The L Word will receive a Special Recognition Award as the show concludes its sixth and final season. The L Word broke new ground for LGBT visibility on television with its focus of exploring the lives and loves of a group of lesbian and bisexual women in Los Angeles. Created by Executive Producer Ilene Chaiken and featuring a talented ensemble cast, the show is unique for prominently featuring women – many of them lesbian or bisexual – both in front of and behind the camera. The show has gained worldwide popularity, airing in 39 countries, and received nominations and trophies from the Emmy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the Leo Awards, the Satellite Awards, and the GLAAD Media Awards. Chaiken, along with cast members Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig, and Pam Grier will accept the award.

Additional guests scheduled to appear include: T.R. Knight, Eric Dane; Rebecca Gayheart; Balthazar Getty; John Stamos; Megan Mullally; Alan Cumming; Gus Van Sant; George Takei; Bruno Tonioli; Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie; Wilson Cruz; Chad Allen; GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. More names to be announced.

In January, GLAAD announced 125 nominees in 26 English-language categories, and 60 Spanish-language nominees in 15 categories. A full list of nominees for the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards is available here: http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/20thAnnual/nominees.php. This year, more than 5,000 people will attend the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, raising more than $3.5 million for the organization's work.

Kathy Griffin and Bishop Robinson join previously announced honorees Suze Orman and Tyra Banks, recipients of the Vito Russo Award and the Excellence in Media Award respectively, at the March 28 ceremony held at the Marriott Marquis in New York, and Chad Allen as the Davidson/Valentini honoree at the San Francisco ceremony on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.

Theatre tickets for the Los Angeles event are $50. General tickets for the Los Angeles event are $100 and VIP tickets begin at $450. Tickets are available at www.glaad.org/mediaawards.