Monday, March 23, 2015

26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards



            This weekend was one for the books. I got to be a part of the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards! For those of you who aren’t familiar, GLAAD is a non-profit organization that works to amplify stories from the LGBT community and issues that build support for acceptance. Every year they put together the GLAAD Media Awards, which recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the community and the issues that affect their lives.

            I came on board as part of the planning committee for the awards thanks to my friend Cody Lassen, who is a member of the board of directors. These past few weeks consisted of seeking local talent for the ceremony’s reception, obtaining donations for a silent auction, selling seats to the event, and some other things. I am thankful to my friends Rob Schneider, Darren Bousman, Keith Blau, Phil Pallen, and Roland Emmerich for their valuable donations to the silent auction. At the actual awards show, which took place at the Beverly Hilton, I worked as a talent escort to Roland Emmerich, who was presented with a Stephen F. Kolzak Award for his contributions to various non-profits that support prisoners’ rights, shelter for homeless LGBT youth, marriage equality, and children in Cambodia. His upcoming independently financed film, “Stonewall,” covers the 1969 riots in New York that sparked a civil rights movement.

            As someone who’s all for diversity in film, television, and entertainment in general, I’m proud to have been able to share my time, talents, and connections to this respectful non-profit that is saving lives, opening minds, and changing hearts. I want to thank Craig Bowie and Ricky Carter for leading the planning committee, Cody Lassen for encouraging me to do it, the five individuals who donated to the silent auction, all the hard-working team at GLAAD, and my friends who made this such an exciting night. This was an invaluable experience that I would love to be a part of again next year. 

Ellen DeGeneres presenting Kerry Washington with the Vanguard Award

Got to meet Bruno Tonioli from "Dancing with the Stars"

Fun with my friend Chanel from the alternative LA-based group Pony Boy Curtis, previously known as Badlands

Roland Emmerich with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award and Cody Lassen

Craig Bowie, leader of the planning committee

Dan Franzese took over GLAAD's instagram account during the show

Having fun with friends at the "Transparent" photo booth