The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles was buzzing like a Bey hive while Beyoncé and Jay-Z spoke out for LGBTQI acceptance at the Star-Studded 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z picked up the Vanguard Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards for their work in promoting acceptance for LGBTQI people. Onstage both delivered emotionally charged speeches while revealing their personal connection to the community.
“We would like to request that we continue to shift the stigmas in this community,” Beyoncé said, “especially the stigmas in black families towards accepting queer black and brown men and women around the world.”
Jay-Z eloquently spoke about his mother Gloria Carter, a lesbian who speaks of “living in the shadow” during her vocal appearance on his song, “Smile,” from the album “4:44.”
“I get to follow in her footsteps for spreading love and acceptance and her beautiful speech at the end of the song, ‘Smile,’ and for allowing me to tell her story,” the rapper said.
Beyoncé paid tribute and dedicated her award to her late Uncle Johnny, “the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever known,” she smiled. She said, “he lived his truth” and “was brave and unapologetic during a time when this country wasn’t as accepting.”
“Watching his battle with HIV, Beyoncé said, was “one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived.”
She continued, “I am hoping that his struggles serve to open pathways for other young people to live more freely,” she said. “LGBTQI rights are human rights. To choose who you love is your human right. How you identify and see yourself is your human right.”
Beyoncé and Jay-Z passionately spoke about equality, shared personal stories and wowed the crowd with their dazzling appearance, honestly and sincerity.
“Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award and used the stage to diss Vice President Mike Pence and Jussie Smollett.
“I’ve been getting in shape for tonight with the Jussie Smollett workout,” Hayes quipped. “You hire two trainers and sweat for eight weeks.”
Here are some of the other GLAAD Media Awards winners:
Outstanding Film – Wide Release
“Love, Simon” (20th Century Fox)
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Vida” (Starz)
Outstanding Reality Program
“Queer Eye” (Netflix)
Outstanding Documentary
“Believer” (HBO)
Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBTQ character)
“Someplace Other Than Here,” “The Guest Book” (TBS)
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming
“Steven Universe” (Cartoon Network)
Outstanding Video Game
“The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset” (Bethesda Softworks)
Outstanding Comic Book
“Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles,” written by Mark Russell (DC Comics)
Outstanding Magazine Article
“Can a Transgender Woman Get Justice in Texas?” by Nate Blakeslee (Texas Monthly)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage
“Variety”
Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine (Spanish-Language)
“Entrevista con Luis Sandoval para National Coming Out Day,” “Despierta América” (Univision)
Outstanding Digital Journalism (Spanish-Language)
“Así pinta la televisión hispana a los personajes LGBTQ, una representación preocupante” by Daniel Shoer Roth (ElNuevoHerald.com)
Special Recognition
“Nanette” (Netflix)
Special Recognition
“TransMilitary” (Logo)
Special Recognition (Spanish-Language)
“House of Mamis” (INTOmore.com)
