Romantic teen comedy-drama “Love, Simon,” Netflix’s reality show “Queer Eye” and Starz’s comedy series “Vida” took top honors at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
“Love, Simon,” an LGBTQ themed high-school rom-com, took the prize for Outstanding Film Wide Release with Gwyneth Paltrow presenting the award to director Greg Berlanti and cast members Nick Robinson, Keiynan Lonsdale and Alexandra Schipp.
Outstanding Reality Program went to “Queer Eye,” Netflix’s reboot of the Bravo series, starring Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown.
“Vida,” about two Mexican-American sisters who return home to a rapidly gentrifying Boyle Heights — and find out their recently deceased mother was in a relationship with a woman — took home the award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The 30th annual GLAAD ceremony also honored Beyoncé and Jay-Z with the Vanguard Award for their support of the LGBTQ community.
Jay-Z began their speech by thanking his mother, Gloria Carter, who is a lesbian and who accepted a special award on behalf of her son last year. The rapper said that it was because of his mother that he was able to learn about love and acceptance.
“Life is full of highs, lows, and a lot of learning,” Jay-Z told the audience. “This is a momentous night and I also want, because I didn’t do it last year, to honor my mother who received the award last year. I’m following in her footsteps of spreading love and acceptance.”
Beyonce then told the crowd she was “super honored and overwhelmed and I’m very proud of the run in my stocking from Shangela,” she said about the “Drag Race” alum who earlier in the evening performed a medley of her all her hit songs to a roaring audience. (See below).
“I would say that one of the most beautiful memories from our tour was looking out from the stage every night and seeing the hardest gangsters trappin’ out right next to the most fabulous queens, respecting and celebrating each other.”
Beyonce dedicated the award to her Uncle Johnny, who she called “the most fabulous gay man, who helped raise me and my sister.”
“He lived his truth,” she told the audience. “He was brave and unapologetic during a time when this country was not as accepting. Witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived.”
She continued: “I’m hopeful that his struggle served to open pathways for other young people to live more freely. LGBTQI rights are human rights. To choose who you love is your human right, how you identify and see yourself is your human right, who you make love to and take that ass to Red Lobster is your human right.”
“Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, named after the Los Angeles casting director who devoted his life to fighting homophobia. Both were announced ahead of time.
At the event, celebrities sported blue “&” pins for GLAAD’s Together movement, representing GLAAD’s work on intersectional issues including immigration, racial justice, women’s rights and LGBTQ acceptance.
GLAAD had also previously announced that Madonna will receive the Advocate for Change Award and Andy Cohen will receive the Vito Russo Award from Sarah Jessica Parker in the organizations’ New York City event on May 4, which will air on Logo on Sunday, May 12.
Read the complete winners list:
Outstanding Documentary: “Believer” (HBO)
Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series w/o 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” por Daniel Shoer Roth (ElNuevoHerald.com)
Special Recognition: “Nanette” (Netflix)
Special Recognition: “TransMilitary” (Logo)
Special Recognition (Spanish-Language): “House of Mamis” (INTOmore.com)
YALL! @itsSHANGELA just killed it, lip syncing to Beyoncé IN FRONT OF Beyoncé!!! #GLAADawards @glaad pic.twitter.com/aw9LroQ3dE
— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) March 29, 2019