Kerry Washington fires up GLAAD crowd with her unwavering support of gay rights
Photo credit: GLAAD
From left, Portia de Rossi, Ellen DeGeneres, Kerry Washington and Shonda Rhimes.
BEVERLY HILLS, California — “Scandal” star Kerry Washington earned several standing ovations during her fiery speech in support of LGBT rights, made Saturday night at the 26th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton.
She started by predicting the future.
“… On Monday morning, people are going to click a link to hear what that woman from ‘Scandal’ said at that awards show, and so, I think some stuff needs to be said,” Washington said, kicking off an emotional speech that resonated with the audience.
“Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, intersex people: We have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of ‘other.’ As others, we are taught that to be successful, we must reject those other others, or we will never belong,” she said.
Washington urged African-Americans not to succumb to “messages of hate” regarding marriage equality.
“We can’t say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each others’ existence and the truth of each other’s hearts. We must be allies. And we must be allies in this business because to be represented is to be humanized. And as long as anyone, anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake and we are all vulnerable,” she said.
Washington was awarded GLAAD’s prestigious Vanguard Award for promoting LGBT equality. She was introduced by LGBT icon Ellen DeGeneres.
GLAAD MEDIA AWARD WINNERS
Vanguard Award: Kerry Washington
Stephen F. Kolzak Award: Roland Emmerich
Outstanding Film – Wide Release: “The Imitation Game” (The Weinstein Company)
Outstanding Drama Series: “How To Get Away With Murder” (ABC)
Outstanding Comedy Series: “Transparent” (Amazon Instant Video)
Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): “Identity Crisis” on “Drop Dead Diva” (Lifetime)
Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series: “The Normal Heart” (HBO)
Outstanding Music Artist: Against Me!, Transgender Dysphoria Blues (Xtra Mile Recordings)
Outstanding Daily Drama: “Days Of Our Lives” (NBC)
Outstanding Comic Book: “Rat Queens,” written by Kurtis J. Wiebe (Image Comics)
Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: “31 Days of PrEP” [series] (Advocate.com)
Outstanding Blog: Autostraddle (autostraddle.com)
GLAAD previously announced that it was acknowledging BioWare’s hit video game “Dragon Age: Inquisition” and the song “Era Diferente” by the legendary Mexican band Los Tigres del Norte with Special Recognition Awards. On Saturday night, FOX’s “Glee” also received a Special Recognition Award, following the series finale. For six seasons, Glee has consistently introduced groundbreaking LGBT characters and storylines, including a recent episode that featured a 200-person transgender choir. Joe Earley, Chief Operating Officer at Fox Television Group, accepted the award on behalf of the show.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
Ellen DeGeneres presented the Vanguard Award to Kerry Washington. Channing Tatum presented the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to director Roland Emmerich. Comedian Tig Notaro hosted the event. Guests included: Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy); Patricia Arquette (CSI: Cyber); TV producer Shonda Rhimes; Viola Davis, Jack Falahee, Matt McGorry, Aja Naomi King, Peter Nowalk (How to Get Away with Murder); Portia de Rossi (Scandal); Graham Moore (The Imitation Game); Pauley Perrette (NCIS); Jill Soloway, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, Alexandra Billings, Rhys Ernst, Kiersey Clemons, Michaela Watkins, Alison Sudol, Clementine Creevy, Brett Parasol (Transparent); Michael Harney, Samira Wiley, Nick Sandow, Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black); Andrew Rannells (Girls); Murray Bartlett, Daniel Franzese (Looking); Ron Perlman (Stonewall); Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black); Against Me! lead singer Laura Jane Grace; Michael Mosley, Kevin Daniels, Kevin Bigley (Sirens); Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg, Gavin MacIntosh, Hayden Byerly (The Fosters); Yara Martinez (Jane the Virgin); Serayah McNeill (Empire); Alex Newell (Glee); Gregg Sulkin, Rita Volk, Michael J. Willett, Carter Covington (Faking It); Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles); Jessica St. Clair, Lennon Parham (Playing House); Wilson Cruz (Red Band Society); stylist Brad Goreski; Gary Janetti (Vicious); Guy Wilson, Freddie Smith, Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives); musician Our Lady J; model Nats Getty; Hannah Hart (My Drunk Kitchen); DJs Sam Sparro, Kim Anh, Derek Monteiro; GLAAD Board member Meghan McCain; GLAAD National Spokesperson Omar Sharif, Jr. and GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
