Last night in Los Angeles, GLAAD—the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization—announced recipients for 16 of this year’s 33 categories for the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. Honouree Oprah Winfrey received the Vanguard Award, introduced by long-time friends, iconic Chicago performer Chilli Pepper and celebrity host Paolo Presta, and Niecy Nash-Betts received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, presented by Sharon Stone. The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, hosted by Wayne Brady, will stream on Hulu beginning Friday, March 29th, 2024.
GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, introduced by Renee Rapp, said in part: “Over 500 anti-trans bills have been proposed nationwide this year. And it’s only March. It’s time to get the bullies out. We cannot let up the pressure. We must keep our community moving forward…This is not a fire drill, this is the actual fire.”
“35 years ago, my brother Jeffrey Lee passed away when he was just 29 years old from AIDS,” GLAAD’s Vanguard Award honouree Oprah Winfrey shared with the GLAAD Media Awards audience. “Growing up at the time we did, in the community we did, we didn’t have the language to understand or speak about sexuality and gender in the way we do now. And at the time, I didn’t know how deeply my brother internalized the shame that he felt about being gay. I wish he could have lived to witness these liberated times and to be here with me tonight…What I know for sure is that when we can see one another, when we are open to supporting the truth of a fellow human it makes for a full, rich, vibrant life for us all. And that’s what I wish my brother Jeffrey could have experienced a world that could see him for who he was and appreciate him for what he brought to this world. I am proud to receive this honor. Thank you GLAAD.”
Upon acceptance of the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, Niecy Nash said, “If I’m honest, I never saw this life for myself. I was always an ally, but now I am a card-carrying member! And I often get asked the question “Niecy, what was it like for you, when you came out”? And I always say, “came out of where, baby”? I was never anywhere to come out of! I didn’t live a sexually-repressed life. I mean I loved boys, until I didn’t! I loved them until I encountered the most beautiful soul I’ve ever met.” “I thank you all for holding space for me, ‘til I figure my terms out. What I do know for sure is that my name is Niecy Nash-Betts and I’m a lover. I will never hide the very thing I was created for.”
Casts of Ted Lasso, Yellowjackets, Fellow Travelers, and RuPaul’s Drag Race accepted awards in their respective categories. Trace Lysette accepted a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release for Monica. Renee Rapp accepted the award for Outstanding LGBTQ Music Artist. To open this year’s ceremony, actress and singer-songwriter, Kate Hudson, gave a special live performance of her new single, “Talk About Love.” Actress and five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist, Chlöe, performed “FYS,” marking her first music release of 2024 and first live performance of the song.
GLAAD presented the following awards from six categories onstage:
Fellow Travelers received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series presented by Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Ted Lasso received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series presented by Alexandra Shipp and Sydney Sweeney.
Monica received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release presented by Scott Evans.
RuPaul’s Drag Race received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program presented by Meredith Marks and Heather Dubrow
Yellowjackets received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series presented by Chrishell Stause and G Flip.
Reneé Rapp received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist presented by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.
GLAAD also announced these winners in an offstage video reel:
Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: David Archuleta (Archie Music)
Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release: Bottoms (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Outstanding Children’s Programming: Ada Twist: Scientist (Netflix)
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Animated: Hailey’s On It! (Disney Channel)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Out Outstanding Video Game: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Outstanding Comic Book: Stars Wars: Doctor Aphra (Marvel Comics)
Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology: Four Color Heroes (Fanbase Press)
Spanish Language – Outstanding Scripted Television Series: La Noches De Tefia (Atresplayer)
Spanish Language – Outstanding TV Journalism: “Adolescentes trans relatan su experiencia” Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo)
GLAAD previously announced Special Recognition awards for The Dads (Netflix), Love in Gravity, Relighting Candles (Hulu), Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (AMC Theatres), The Tennessee Holler, Yes I Am: The Ric Weiland Story, Drag Latina (Revry / LATV), Enamorándonos (UniMás), El sabor de la navidad (ViX), Wendy, perdida pero famosa (ViX). GLAAD also previously announced that +Life Media received the Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media.
Remaining winners for select categories will be announced at GLAAD’s New York Ceremony on Saturday, May 11th, 2024.
The 35th GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally. The nominees for the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were published, released, or broadcast between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. For a full list of nominees, click here.