As I'm sure you're all aware, the only singer named Taylor I know or care about is a great Dayne from Long Island. But even I realize this constant attacking of our allies is not going to end well.
The County Wicklow-born WWE pro wrestler is best-known for his abs. But I'd say his recent message of LGBT inclusion, his rebellious lack of tattoos and CROTCH are even more impressive.
WWE pro wrestler Finn Balor entered the ring at Wrestlemania Sunday in New Orleans surrounded by members of the LGBT community wearing his rainbow-colored T-shirts that benefit GLAAD. The event also saw the debut of an out lesbian wrestler.
“Imagine all the people living in peace,” the Irish Balor tweeted out following the event.
GLAAD, which fights for positive images of LGBT people in the media, thanked Balor for his statement of inclusion. The WWE announced last week that part of the proceeds from the sale of Balor’s rainbow shirt will benefit GLAAD.
NBC released this teaser on Monday for the 12-episode "Will & Grace" reunion scheduled for this fall. (Dying!)
Meanwhile, Debra Messing -- who is everything Susan Sarandon wishes she could be -- was honored at the GLAAD Media Awards over the weekend here in New York City for her commitment to LGBT rights. Hear what she had to say about life in Trump's America HERE.
GLAAD, the world’s LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced this week that it will honor Debra Messing with the Excellence in Media Award at the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown on May 6, (Great choice!)
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community. TV's Ross Mathews will host the event for the fourth time. Special guests will include Whoopi Goldberg, Don Lemon, Rami Malek, Janet Mock, Trevor Noah, Christian Slater, and "Survivor" contestant Zeke Smith.
Messing will receive GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, which is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance of LGBTQ people. Previous Excellence in Media Award honorees include Robert De Niro, Russell Simmons, Kelly Ripa, Patti LaBelle, Tyra Banks, Julianne Moore, Glenn Close, Barbara Walters, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, and Diane Sawyer.
The nominees for the 2017 GLAAD Media Awards were announced yesterday, with winners to be awarded on May 6 at a gala at the New York Hilton Midtown. Among them are Academy Award-nominee and Golden Globe-winner "Moonlight"; Film Independent Spirit Award-nominees "Other People" and "Spa Night"; ABC’s "The Real O’Neals" and "Black-ish"; The CW’s "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "Supergirl"; Netflix’s "The OA," "Grace and Frankie," "Black Mirror" and "Easy"; Amazon’s "Transparent" and "One Mississippi"; Starz’s "Survivor’s Remorse"; USA Network’s "Eyewitness"; Cartoon Network's "Steven Universe"; Nickelodeon's "The Loud House"; Oxygen’s "Strut"; HBO’s "The Trans List"; "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"; NewYorker.com, and Tampa Bay Times for interviews with Orlando shooting survivors; ESPN’s "E:60" and "SC Featured"; Brandy Clark for her Grammy-nominated "Big Day in a Small Town" album; and Frank Ocean for his album "Blonde." More about the nominees and ticket information HERE.
Great pick. I'd love to see his "King of Comedy" costar Sandra Bernhard deliver the award!
From a release:
Robert De Niro will receive GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, which is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance. De Niro is a two-time Academy Award-winning actor and a longtime ally to the LGBT community. Most recently, he shared with audiences the story of his gay father in Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr., a 2014 HBO documentary directed by Perri Peltz and Geeta Gandbhir. In it, De Niro movingly recounted his father’s struggle with self-acceptance, not living openly until the latter part of his life.
In addition to his outspoken advocacy in support of marriage equality, De Niro has brought LGBT storylines to broader audiences. In 2002, he co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival, which has made LGBT inclusion a hallmark of its annual film line-up. He produced and starred in the 1999 film Flawless, which told the story of a man and his friendship with a transgender woman. In 2007, De Niro portrayed an openly gay character in Stardust, which received a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release.
All proceeds of the GLAAD Media Awards support GLAAD's work with the media to bring culture-changing stories of LGBT people to millions of homes and workplaces every day in an effort to increase understanding and accelerate acceptance of LGBT people everywhere.
This year's Oscar nominees were a blur of things I had no interest in. Can't say the same about GLAAD's list. Congrats to all, but what happened to the "best blog" category?
New GLAAD report finds Hollywood still failing to positively show LGBT characters
In its annual Studio Responsibility Index, GLAAD is giving a big thumbs down to the way Hollywood depicts lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transexuals on the big screen. Read HERE.
GLAAD's Rich Ferraro (far right) -- who is also a friend of the (212) -- is part of the Next Generation of Stonewall in NYC Pride Guide. Kudos! Read HERE.
TV icon and LGBT advocate George Takei will be honored at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York at the Waldorf Astoria New York on May 3 where he will receive the Vito Russo Award.
Global superstar Kylie Minogue will perform at the show.
I just hung up with Herndon, and while he is not giving any interviews right now, he seems happy with his decision -- and is looking forward to a summer at the beach before embarking on his next career challenge.
From a statement:
GLAAD Board of Directors Chair Thom Reilly:
“GLAAD is very grateful for Herndon’s work championing LGBT rights, especially his work on behalf of the trans community On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish him the best.”
Graddick said:
“I'm proud to leave GLAAD with a stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and experienced Board and staff. I'm happy the role I was able to play in advancing the need for our community to fully support the rights of our transgender brothers and sisters. Our movement is benefited by the leadership not only of heroes like Evan Wolfson, Chad Griffin, Mara Keisling, and Kate Kendell, but of the necessary and vital blogger and grassroots communities. I look forward to returning to a private life and supporting the fight from behind the scenes.”
Chief of Staff Dave Montez is serving as Acting President.
Chris Evans joined Mom and openly gay-actor-brother Scott at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend to voice his support for LGBT issues. “Tonight, I'm coming out as an ally for equality,” Chris told the crowd. “And I already came out,” Scott said. Lisa added, “And I've known since the day he was born.” “And I've never cared either way,” Chris followed up. By then, Scott had vanished to score some blow.
Anderson claims this is the first time he's kissed a woman
Although her Pepsi-era Joan Crawford cum Mae West appearance was a bit shocking at first (I hadn't seen un-Photoshopped Madge in quite some time), her speech -- delivered in an unexpected American accent -- was both heartful and funny, as she poked fun at the Boys Scouts before turning serious, commending Anderson for being one of the few "brave" people she has ever known. Anderson was humble and gracious -- “I’m only here because others have done so much more than I will ever be able to do," citing some of the people he considers real heros who preceded him -- and reiterated that he feels being gay is a "blessing." He thanked his partner, Benjamin. and kept it short, clearly moved by the praise and Madonna's presence.
Michael and I had a great time Saturday night at the GLAAD Media Awards -- it was hard not to have fun with someone sitting at our table named Bianca Del Rio, whose date accidentally ate the dessert tray intended for all EIGHT of us! -- where Madonna presented Anderson Cooper with the Vito Russo Award for his outstanding broadcast journalism efforts in positive portrayls of LGBT people.
Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in New York. For the complete list, click HERE.
Vito Russo Award: Anderson Cooper
Ally Award: Brett Ratner
Outstanding Drama Series: Smash (NBC)
Outstanding Documentary: How to Survive a Plague (Sundance Selects)
Outstanding Reality Program: The Amazing Race (CBS)
Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Game Changer" by Andy Mannix (City Pages [Minneapolis, Minn.]
Outstanding Newspaper Columnist: Frank Bruni (The New York Times)
Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: The Boston Globe
Outstanding Magazine Article: "School of Hate" by Sabrina Rubin Erdely (Rolling Stone)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: The Advocate/Out
Outstanding New York Theatre: Broadway and Off Broadway: The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter
Outstanding New York Theatre: Off-Off Broadway: From White Plains written by Michael Perlman in collaboration with Fault Line Theatre
Join hosts Sam Champion, Josh Elliott, and Lara Spencer of ABC's "Good Morning America" in New York City as we honor the best in LGBT media, and those moving equality forward. Guests of the GLAAD Media Awards enjoy silent and live auction, dinner, after party and awards ceremony including an unforgettable presentation to CNN's Anderson Cooper!
New York Marriott Marquis
Saturday, March 16, 2013
