From: NewNowNext
The 2016 Trailblazer Honors had a more somber tone because of the recent tragedy in Orlando, but spirits were lifted as Pride weekend began in New York, and passionate speeches throughout the night reminded those in the audience of why LGBT Pride is more important than ever.
Rachel Platten started off the evening with a rousing rendition of “Stand By You” and then Wilson Cruz took the stage to memorialize the victims of Orlando, giving special mention to his relative Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, who was killed in the massacre.
Emma Stone introduced Billie Jean King, presenting her with a Trailblazer Honor. King reflected on being outed in 1981, saying it was the darkest moment of her life and how she “almost lost faith in humanity at that time.” But she reminded the audience to in the end, focus on love, not hate.
RuPaul made a special surprise appearance, speaking about the family you choose a member of the LGBT community, and warning the world at large not to “fuck with my family.” He then led the room in a moment of silence for the victims of Orlando.
Harvey Fierstein was another recipient of a Trailblazer Honor and when Bob the Drag Queen and Joel Grey presented him with the award, Harvey made an passionate speech about the LGBT community and the Orlando massacre.
“All of those lives destroyed because someone told him he could not be him,” Fierstein said about the Orlando shooter. He went onto speak about LGBT Pride and how you have to realize the impact you have as an LGBT person everyday.
“History is being made in every moment,” said Fierstein. “You either participate or you don’t. It doesn’t matter, just show up. Show up for life and make history.”
Fierstein left the stage, but that wasn’t the end for his part of the evening. Former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants Ginger Minj, Alyssa Edwards, Phi Phi O’Hara, Tatiana and Alaska paid tribute to the Broadway star, with a rousing rendition of “I Am What I Am” from the musical, La Cage Aux Folles.
The final honoree of the night was the LGBT news magazine, The Advocate. After a segment chronicling the history of the publication, dating back to 1967, Editor-in-Chief Matthew Breen took the stage and gave an empowering and fiery speech about Orlando, and the politicians who stand by and let the lack of gun control ruin American lives.
“We are not interested in your prayers unless they are followed up with action. You have fucked with the wrong group of people,” Breen warned the legislators, as the cheering crowd leapt to their feet to applaud his threat.
A video message from Vice President Joe Biden closed out the evening. In his somber words about just returning from paying his respects in Orlando, he promised that “hope never remains silent. We are Orlando. We are all Americans.”
If the audience reactions were any indication, the next wave of trailblazers were born tonight during this year’s ceremony.
Just heard some moving, powerful speeches at @LogoTV's #trailblazerhonors and I'm fired up to take some action. 🌈— Kylo Krieger Hair (@KyleKriegerHair) June 24, 2016
Trailblazer Honors airs Saturday, June 25 at 8/7c on Logo and VH1.
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