With COVID spoiling everyone’s summer vacation plans, it’s no wonder that most of us find ourselves singing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” on a daily basis and hoping that things will get back to normal soon.
Thankfully, for those of us in the gay community, GLAAD knows how much we need encouragement right now and has found a way to bring America’s top talent to our homes. Despite canceling the live GLAAD media awards, the show will go on digitally for the first time ever.
According to a recent press release, GLAAD announced that the 31st annual media awards is scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 30 at 8 p.m. EST and will live stream on GLAAD’s Facebook and YouTube. If you miss it, don’t worry! You can catch the magic on Logo August 3rd at 8 p.m. EST.
With the kind of show GLAAD has planned for this year’s awards, you won’t feel like a kid who has had his entire vacation rained on. Featuring a star-studded, multi-talented line-up including the cast and producers of the Emmy-award winning FX show “Pose”, Lil Nas X, Dolly Parton, Cara Delevingne, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Lena Waithe, Peppermint, Olivia Wilde, Brian Michael Smith, Beanie Feldstein, Jonica T. Gibbs, Dan Levy, and Raquel Willis—this show will be something to talk about. The show will be hosted by Fortune Feimster and Gina Yashere with a special performance by Chloe X Halle.
GLAAD continues to work hard and fight for the LGBTQ community, despite the current political and social climate. As part of their ongoing effort, the organization continues to put pressure on the major film studios in Hollywood to produce LGBTQ inclusive films and strive for increased diversity in media. Inside GLAAD's Studio Responsibility Index, a report they publish every year, they track what real representation looks like in Hollywood films. You can see the 2020 report here.
Speaking of the upcoming media awards, the president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis shared a message of hope and solidarity with the queer community.
“Among this year’s nominees are a wide range of stories and narratives about LGBTQ people of different races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and other identities that demonstrate the power of inclusion and diversity in fostering positive cultural change.”
She emphasizes the fact that GLAAD isn’t taking a backseat during this difficult, divisive time, but is committed to making life better and safer for the LGBTQ community in America.
She continues, “As this year’s Media Awards go virtual, we hope to send a powerful message to LGBTQ people that in the midst of this culturally and politically divisive time, our visibility and voices have never been more important.”
In difficult times like these, we all need a little encouragement. There won’t be any rain at this parade. For more information on the show, go here.