"Moonlight," "Black Mirror" and "Transparent" were among the evening's big winners
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Patricia Arquette made a special appearance Saturday night at the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the media’s representation of the LGBT experience. The event was held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton.
Actors Luke Perry and Jeffrey Tambor presented Arquette with GLAAD’s Vanguard Award, given “to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance of LGBTQ people.” Previous Vanguard recipients include Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Cher, Whoopi Goldberg, Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Janet Jackson, and Sharon Stone.
“She has consistently used her platform to voice support of the LGBTQ community and issues such as marriage equality and transgender equality,” GLAAD wrote of Arquette in a statement.
During Arquette’s emotional acceptance speech, ET Online reports, the 48-year-old Oscar winner paid tribute to her sister, transgender performer and activist Alexis Arquette, who died last year at age 47 due to complications related to HIV/AIDS.
“She wanted to help move the world forward to a time and future where every trans kid could live their full potential,” Arquette said. “She wanted to help move the world forward to a time when they could be seen as complete, whole and equal human beings.”
Arquette noted that her sister had lost out on numerous acting roles as a result of being a trans woman. “But she couldn’t live a life that was a lie,” Arquette continued. “So whatever mark I have made in this life in activism will always pale in the light of Alexis’s bravery and in the light of the bravery of every trans kid growing up in America.”
The CSI: Cyber star urged the audience to support LGBT rights by marching in protests, calling their congressmen, posting on social media, and donating to GLAAD. “You don’t need to have transgender family member or a gay friend for this to affect you,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what color or gender or faith you are. There are so many marginalized groups right now under attack. When one of us is vulnerable, all of us are vulnerable.”
“We are all human,” she concluded. “So let’s allow our humanity to lead us toward respect and tolerance.”
Hosted by Cameron Esposito, star of Seeso’s Take My Wife, the ceremony also included a special tribute to victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy led by Empire’s Jussie Smollett and featuring a performance by Tony winner Cynthia Erivo.
Among the film and television honored at the event, Moonlight won Outstanding Film – Wide Release, Other People won Outstanding Film – Limited Release, Shadowhunters won Outstanding Drama Series, and Transparent won Outstanding Comedy Series, Deadline reports.
Other winners included Eyewitness for Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series, Black Mirror’s “San Junipero” for Outstanding Individual Episode, The Bold and The Beautiful for Outstanding Daily Drama, and The Woods for Outstanding Comic Book. Out singer Troye Sivan accepted the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.
“At a time when progress is at a critical juncture, it is imperative that Hollywood tell more LGBTQ stories that reflect the community’s rich diversity—and build understanding that brings all communities closer together,” said GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis in a previous statement.
The 2017 GLAAD Media Awards will air April 6 on Logo, following the world broadcast premiere of Strike a Pose. Additional awards will be presented at a second GLAAD Media Awards event held May 6 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
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