'Glee,' Sykes among GLAAD winners

Fox's "Glee" added to its Golden Globe and SAG prizes Saturday as the musical picked up the award for best comedy at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation at the Hyatt Regent Century Plaza Hotel.

Out writer/co-creator Ryan Murphy accepted the award with cast members including Jane Lynch, whom he thanked for using the show's "national platform" to talk about her engagement to her longtime partner Lara Embry -- "they're registered at Tiffany's," he joked -- and tipped his hat to her fellow out cast member Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt.



"We have so much love for our own Chris Colfer, who at age 19 when the media came calling, Chris was true to who he is instead of waiting to announce (that he's gay) at 40 when it doesn't matter," Murphy said. "This show is about arts education and inclusion, and we are using the show in a great way.

"Chris' character will never be the victim," said Murphy, who noted that next year the out character "will have a boyfriend, and they are going to be prom kings and be popular."

Out writer-director Tom Ford's "A Single Man," released by the Weinstein Co., picked up the award for outstanding wide-release film. Ford's longtime partner, Richard Buckley, accepted the prize and noted that Ford, among those affected by ash from Iceland's volcanic eruption, was unable to get a flight out of London.

Also picking up prizes at the second of three GLAAD ceremonies held around the nation were Drew Barrymore, who received the Vanguard Award for her history of championing the LGBT community, and Wanda Sykes, who collected the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is presented to an LGBT media professional for promoting equal rights.

"The thing that means the most to me about an evening like this or why I want to fight and be outspoken about (gay rights) is there are so many people who are in desperate need of families," Barrymore said in accepting the award. "That is the most important thing in the world: that we take care of each other because this is a family."

Mississippi teen Constance McMillen, whose high school canceled her prom rather than allow her to bring her girlfriend to the dance, received a standing ovation when she appeared onstage to present Sykes her prize.

"I want to thank the Fox network for allowing me to do the show I'm doing; it's like Rupert Murdoch buying back all the hate -- like I'm saving him from going to hell," Sykes joked in her acceptance speech.

Logo's "RuPaul's Drag Race" also was named outstanding reality program at Saturday's show, which was hosted by Candis Cayne and Wilson Cruz and included a two-song performance by Adam Lambert and appearances by Olympic ice skater Johnny Weir and "Grey's Anatomy's" Eric Dane.

Awards bestowed in March in New York included ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," outstanding drama series, and Lifetime's "Prayers for Bobby," outstanding TV movie or miniseries. The final awards will be presented June 5 in San Francisco.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people.
'Glee,' Sykes among GLAAD winners
Drew Barrymore honored with Vanguard Award

By Lesley Goldberg

April 18, 2010, 01:16 PM ET
Fox's "Glee" added to its Golden Globe and SAG prizes Saturday as the musical picked up the award for best comedy at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation at the Hyatt Regent Century Plaza Hotel.

Out writer/co-creator Ryan Murphy accepted the award with cast members including Jane Lynch, whom he thanked for using the show's "national platform" to talk about her engagement to her longtime partner Lara Embry -- "they're registered at Tiffany's," he joked -- and tipped his hat to her fellow out cast member Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt.

"We have so much love for our own Chris Colfer, who at age 19 when the media came calling, Chris was true to who he is instead of waiting to announce (that he's gay) at 40 when it doesn't matter," Murphy said. "This show is about arts education and inclusion, and we are using the show in a great way.

"Chris' character will never be the victim," said Murphy, who noted that next year the out character "will have a boyfriend, and they are going to be prom kings and be popular."

Out writer-director Tom Ford's "A Single Man," released by the Weinstein Co., picked up the award for outstanding wide-release film. Ford's longtime partner, Richard Buckley, accepted the prize and noted that Ford, among those affected by ash from Iceland's volcanic eruption, was unable to get a flight out of London.

Also picking up prizes at the second of three GLAAD ceremonies held around the nation were Drew Barrymore, who received the Vanguard Award for her history of championing the LGBT community, and Wanda Sykes, who collected the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is presented to an LGBT media professional for promoting equal rights.

"The thing that means the most to me about an evening like this or why I want to fight and be outspoken about (gay rights) is there are so many people who are in desperate need of families," Barrymore said in accepting the award. "That is the most important thing in the world: that we take care of each other because this is a family."

Mississippi teen Constance McMillen, whose high school canceled her prom rather than allow her to bring her girlfriend to the dance, received a standing ovation when she appeared onstage to present Sykes her prize.

"I want to thank the Fox network for allowing me to do the show I'm doing; it's like Rupert Murdoch buying back all the hate -- like I'm saving him from going to hell," Sykes joked in her acceptance speech.

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Logo's "RuPaul's Drag Race" also was named outstanding reality program at Saturday's show, which was hosted by Candis Cayne and Wilson Cruz and included a two-song performance by Adam Lambert and appearances by Olympic ice skater Johnny Weir and "Grey's Anatomy's" Eric Dane.

Awards bestowed in March in New York included ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," outstanding drama series, and Lifetime's "Prayers for Bobby," outstanding TV movie or miniseries. The final awards will be presented June 5 in San Francisco.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people.