34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, New York City

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced recipients for the final 18 of this year’s 33 categories of the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. 

Maren Morris accepted GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award, introduced by Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Alyssa Edwards, making Morris the first country music artist to receive that honor. Jonathan Van Ness accepted GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, presented by ALOK, making Van Ness the first nonbinary recipient to receive that honor.

The New York ceremony for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards was hosted by producer, Critics Choice-nominated actor and GLAAD Award winner, Harvey Guillén. The evening opened with a special performance by multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter and Tony Award-winning Broadway icon, Idina Menzel, with the global debut of her new hit, Move. The pop disco track is fresh off her upcoming dance project, Drama Queen, releasing August 18.

Presented by Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Alyssa Edwards, Maren Morris accepted GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award, saying in part: “I want my fellow country music artists to understand that inclusivity is not only the right thing, but it’s also good for business. You open up yourself and your sound to a much larger audience, even if you lose some along the way. The crowds at my shows are a sea of diversity, from race, identity to age. It is a loving, safe space for my band, crew, venue staff and most notably, my fans. This community stood up for me and made me feel safe when I felt alone and I’ll never be able to repay them, but I hope I get spend the rest of my life and career settling up.”

Presented by ALOK, Jonathan Van Ness accepted GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, saying in part: “Living in Texas, I am not willing to sit on the sidelines as these grown bullies attempt to erase our community. Luckily I grew up with strong women who taught me to stand up for what’s right. One of the ways I do that is to frequently join my friends from Equality Texas and GLAAD in Austin. I want everyone to find their healing. I know people love and accept you more once you love and accept yourself. I also know that we need to proudly say we are pro queer pro trans pro black pro-abortion rights, pro-immigration, we are PRO HUMAN! What is happening now should be a jolting wakeup call.”

Recognizing the rise in anti-LGBTQ violence and rhetoric across the country, including over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced so far in 2023, GLAAD welcomed transgender Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr, as well as queer and nonbinary Oklahoma State Representative Mauree Turner, to spotlight the critical role we all have in representing our communities with the power of the vote. Both representatives were targeted and silenced in recent weeks, censured by the state legislatures they both serve in. When bigoted politicians turn to disgusting tactics to erase queer voices, GLAAD turns up the volume on exposing hate and amplifying what accurate and fair queer visibility look, sounds and feels like. 

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GLAAD’s President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis made keynote remarks, saying in part:“We want an America where AR-15 assault rifles do not have more rights than people of color, women, and LGBTQ Americans. So when they go low, we get LOUD. That is GLAAD’s superpower…We are not going to let anyone tell a story that villainizes us, when the truth is that everyone deserves to live happily ever after. So raise your voice. Take action with GLAAD. Get loud and stay proud.”

GLAAD presented the following awards from four categories onstage in New York:

●      Fire Island and Anything’s Possible both received the award for Outstanding Film – Streaming/TV

●      We’re Here received the award for Outstanding Reality Series

●      The Problem with Jon Stewart received the award for Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode

●      “Logo’s Trans Youth Town Hall” received the award for Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia presented by Frankie Grande and Tamron Hall.

During the New York ceremony, GLAAD also announced winners in the following categories in an off-stage video reel:

Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Live Action: Heartstopper (Netflix)

Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Animated: Dead End: Paranormal Park (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: Dove Cameron (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Broadway Production: A Strange Loop

Outstanding Video Game: Apex Legends (Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts)

Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology: Young Men in Love (A Wave Blue World)

Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “HIV in the Deep South” In Real Life (Scripps News)

Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form: “PRIDE | To Be Seen” Soul of a Nation (ABC)

Outstanding Live TV Journalism – Segment or Special: “The Last Thing Before We Go: Stephanie Ruhle Talks Spirit Day” The 11th Hour (MSNBC)

Outstanding Print Article: “Pediatricians Who Serve Trans Youth Face Increasing Harassment. Lifesaving Care Could Be on the Line” by Madeleine Carlisle (TIME)

Outstanding Online Journalism Article: “Alabama Is Trying to Raise the Legal Driving Age for Trans People to 19” by Nico Lang (TheDailyBeast.com)

Outstanding Blog: Mombian

Outstanding Podcast: TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones (TransLash Media) and Sibling Rivalry (Studio71) (TIE)

Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism Article: “Proyectos de ley anti LGBTQ+ en Florida son una ‘licencia para discriminar’ y reviven el dolor de Pulse, dicen grupos locales” por Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio (OrlandoSentinel.com)

Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia: “Las abuelas trans buscan dignificar su vejez” por Liliana Rosas y Silvana Flores (ReporteIndigo.com)

The full list including previously announced winners and categories at the Los Angeles Ceremony of the GLAAD Media Awards is available HERE.