Mon 5 May 2014 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Orange is the New Black cast members on the red carpet / GLAAD Orange is the New Black, George Takei and Oprah Winfrey have been among the winners at the annual GLAAD Media Awards. Orange is the New Black won outstanding comedy series at the 25th awards in New York. GLAAD endeavours to recognise “fair, accurate and inclusive representation in media” of the LGBT community and the issues that affect its lives. Trans actress Laverne Cox had earlier been presented an award for promoting equality by recently out actress Ellen Page. George Takei / GLAAD Actor and social media titan George Takei received the Vito Russo award, presented to an openly gay media professional for promoting equality for the glbt community. In his acceptance speech Takei said, "In the twenty-five years since its founding, GLAAD has dramatically changed American society for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. I know, because as a closeted kid growing up in Los Angeles…all I saw of gays and lesbians in movies and television or heard on radio were caricatures of people who were mocked and laughed at, or pitied, or hated. "The media stripped us of all humanity and made us into pathetic stereotypes. The media then was a soul-crushing monster. GLAAD took on this formidable beast with its media savvy, political acumen and the power of its advocacy and transformed the media into a powerful force for change. GLAAD inspired and galvanized others into action to join with in the great 21st century civil rights movement." He added: "But as long as LGBT people can be fired from their job for simply being who they are, our work isn’t done yet. As long as young people are kicked out of their families just for being who they are, our work is not done yet. As long as people are be bullied into feeling that their lives are so hopeless that they are driven to self-destructive acts, our work is not done." Unique lesbian flick Concussion won Outstanding Film, while Philomena was also honoured. Oprah Winfrey's interview with gay basketballer Jason Collins was an award winner too, while The New Civil Rights Movement was the pick of the blogs. Kylie Minogue performed at the show - see a video below.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 5th May 2014 - 10:03am