GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer media advocacy group, will be honored with the 2023 Governors Award, the Television Academy announced today. The organization is recognized for its work over nearly four decades to ensure fair, accurate and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industry and to advocate for LGBTQ equality. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis will accept the award during the Emmy Awards telecast on January 15th on Fox.
According to the Television Academy, the Governor’s Award was first presented in 1978 and honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformative and lasting contribution to the art and/or science of television. Last year, the award went to the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Debbie Allen was honored with the award in 2021 and Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation were honored in 2020.
Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, author of The celluloid caseand other LGBTQ advocates, GLAAD works with leaders in television, film, gaming, news, business, politics and more to lead the global conversation and ensure that authentic and diverse LGBTQ stories are seen and heard. “GLAAD’s commitment and influence is especially important in today’s world, with a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation being proposed across the country. “It is an honor to recognize GLAAD’s commitment to equality for all,” says Kim Taylor-Coleman, Chair of the Governor’s Award Selection Committee.
“Television shapes our society and influences dialogue that increases understanding and acceptance, which is what makes GLAAD’s work so important to the LGBTQ community, regulators and the public,” said Frank Scherma, president of the Television Academy. “It has had a culture-changing impact through its education and advocacy programs.”
Ellis has been president and CEO of GLAAD since 2014.
“This tremendous honor from the Television Academy is a testament to the historic and impactful work of GLAAD’s founders, board members and employees over the past four decades, as well as the LGBTQ leaders, creators and talent who tell authentic LGBTQ stories on television . Ellis said. “At a time when our world seems increasingly divided and the media plays a major role in shaping culture, television has the unique power to tell human stories that increase empathy and acceptance. This award is just the latest example of how the Television Academy plays a critical role in ensuring accurate and diverse storytelling that educates, entertains and enlightens.”
The TV Academy pointed to the annual GLAAD Where we are on TV The report tracks the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBTQ representation, while informing GLAAD’s own involvement in the television industry.
GLAAD runs campaigns, programs and initiatives focused on visibility and dialogue about LGBTQ people and issues, including Spirit Day, where leaders in entertainment, news, sports and education come together in support of LGBTQ people. Use youth. Recently, GLAAD hosted its first Black Queer Creative Summit, bringing together over 150 Black LGBTQ writers and creatives to share best practices for working in the entertainment industry. GLAAD also consulted with organizations representing other historically marginalized communities to share best practices and advance their work with the media.
The annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honor outstanding LGBTQ-inclusive news and entertainment projects, celebrate their 35th anniversarye anniversary this year.
Other past recipients of the Governor’s Award include: Star Trek, american idolmtvU campaign for Darfur, PBS, Masterpiece TheatreHallmark Cards Inc. and Walter Cronkite.
The 75e The Emmy Awards will air Monday, January 15, 2024 (8:00 – 11:00 PM EST/5:00 – 8:00 PM PST) on Fox.
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
