Madonna – in a Boy Scouts uniform no less – presented Anderson Cooper with a special honor at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation awards ceremony Saturday night in New York.
Anderson was given the Vito Russo Award, which cites openly gay media professionals who have made a difference in promoting equality.
Madonna was suited up to take a shot at the Boy Scouts' ban on openly gay scouts and leaders and urge others to fight against it.
"I wanted to be a Boy Scout but they wouldn't let me join… I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent… Listen, I want to do good for the community. Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys!" Then she said, "I think they should change their stupid rules."
Also read: GLAAD Protests Nat Geo's Collaboration With Boy Scouts
Director Brett Ratner received the group's inaugural Ally Award for his work in launching the "Coming Out for Equality" public service campaign with Comcast. Ratner drew headlines last year when he exited as producer of last year’s Academy Awards after making an offensive remark at a news conference.
The TV shows “Smash” and “The Amazing Race” were honored as outstanding drama and reality programs, respectively. And “How to Survive a Plague,” which traced the roots of the fight against AIDS, was honored in the documentary category.
“Good Morning America” anchors Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott and Sam Champion hosted the event. A similar benefit ceremony will be held April 20 in Los Angeles.
Others cited by GLAAD for outstanding contributions in bringing stories of LGBT people and issues to the U.S. public included:
Newspaper Article: "Game Changer" by Andy Mannix (City Pages [Minneapolis, Minn.])
Newspaper Columnist: Frank Bruni (The New York Times)
Newspaper Overall Coverage: The Boston Globe
Magazine Article: "School of Hate" by Sabrina Rubin Erdely (Rolling Stone)
Magazine Overall Coverage: The Advocate/Out
New York Theatre: Broadway & Off Broadway: The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter
New York Theatre: Off-Off Broadway: From White Plains written by Michael Perlman in collaboration with Fault Line Theatre
Talk Show Interview: "Entrevista con Orlando Cruz" Titulares Telemundo (Telemundo)
Magazine Article: "Amor genuino" by Cristina Saralegui (People en Español)
Digital Journalism Article: "Operación tolerancia: la lucha contra la homofobia en los medios hispanos" by Lilia Luciano (voces.huffingtonpost.com)
Digital Journalism – Multimedia: "2013: Año clave para la comunidad gay" by Ramón Frisneda (ElDiarioNY.com)