On Friday, October 10th, GLAAD hosted its 40th anniversary GALA at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City.
It honored Emmy award-winning director, producer, and writer Michael Patrick King with the “Vito Russo Award,” which was presented by Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City”).
This prestigious award is presented to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in accelerating LGBTQ acceptance.
The event was hosted by Ross Matthews, and it featured a performance by Broadway actress and singer Jessica Vosk and appearances by RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Peppermint, Kandy Muse, Aja and Dahlia Sin, as well as model and actress Isis King.
Notable attendees included Emmy-nominated actor Cheyenne Jackson (who is starring in “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway), activist and model Zaya Wade, comedian Bridget Everett, actress Orfeh, Real Housewife of New York Racquel Chevremont, actor Dan Amboyer, comedian Eric Sedeño, Gotham FC Co-Owner Emily Tisch Sussman, and director Zeke Smith, among others.
Sarah Kate Ellis, the CEO and President of GLAAD, was also in attendance. This journalist participated in red carpet interviews.
The mission of GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
Michael Patrick King
Michael Patrick King is best known for directing and writing for “Sex and the City” and its film adaptations, and for co-creating the television comedies “The Comeback,” “2 Broke Girls,” and “AJ and the Queen.”
“It is thrilling, emotional and daunting to be here,” King said. “I am humbled to be actually honored by my peers.”
“It’s an honor because the honor is about visibility,” King stressed. “To be able to create television and movies and make gay characters visible is a very important thing, and a big event. I am very blessed to be here!”
On the importance of GLAAD, King said, “You have to see gay characters to fall in love with them. You have to see people who are considered ‘on the outside’ in order to understand that everybody is just a person. In order to see a person, you have to see and feel their stories, and you have to see their souls.”
“That is what good writing and good television can do,” King acknowledged.
Regarding the message he hopes people get out of GLAAD, King remarked, “I hope people get an understanding that we have to fight for visibility again because we are being told to stop being visible, and it’s time again to be seen.”
Peppermint
“It feels so good to celebrate GLAAD on their 40th anniversary,” Peppermint said. “It is such a wonderful evening; the weather is just right. The stars have aligned, and they have descended upon us in New York City.”
“I am excited to celebrate everything that GLAAD has done, and I am looking forward to more things that GLAAD will be doing because there is a lot more work to be done,” Peppermint noted.
On the significance of this cause, Peppermint said, “Honestly, because humanity is important! One of the things that we are missing here is that there are a lot of conversations on LBGTQ people when it comes to our country and when it comes to how we connect with our country.”
“In a lot of these conversations, we are being de-humanized, and our humanity is being left out of the conversation,” Peppermint observed.
“Ultimately, whether we are talking about trans rights, marriage rights, or anything else, at the end of the day, we should all have the right to be treated equally and live happily and healthily in this country. We are here to remind people of that,” Peppermint elaborated.
Dan Amboyer
“It is really exciting to be here,” Amboyer exclaimed. “I love GLAAD; even growing up, I have been such a big fan of GLAAD! I am so proud to be here and to be celebrating with GLAAD!”
On the importance of this cause, Amboyer said, “I think visibility right now is very important for our community and also for our country.”
“We need to be louder, prouder, and more vocal! We are not going away; we are here, and we are not going back in the shadows,” Amboyer underscored.
Amboyer stated, “Tonight, I want people to celebrate and to feel the sense of community that we have together and that we share.”
“That’s what I want tonight to be about… but I want that to fuel us, to feel the community and the unity and to take that to the streets,” he added.
Dahlia Sin
“I am excited,” Sin said. “I have never been to a GLAAD event before, but I am excited to see what everybody is looking like… the girls are dressed in their gowns; I am in my gown, and I am excited.”
“We are donating to a good cause; we are all gay, queer and everyone is joining in on the cause, and it’s a good cause,” Sin added.
Riley Knoxx and Isis King
“We are so honored to be here,” King said. “This is GLAAD’s 40th anniversary, and it is important for us to be here, especially for everything they do in the community. Nobody does it like GLAAD.”
“I’ve been working with GLAAD for almost 20 years,” King revealed. “In a public light, they have been there for me, and they’ve stuck up for me, ever since I first went public with my story. You need somebody powerful, big and bold on your side… and GLAAD has been able to amplify positive voices for the LGBTQ community.”
“With everything going on right now in the world, GLAAD is very important,” Knoxx stressed. “It is really important to have organizations like GLAAD around. It is still championing for everybody in the community.”
King and Knoxx both underscored that they hope this event spreads “love and empowerment” to all.
Zaya Wade
“It feels amazing and empowering to be here tonight, especially being around people in my community in a powerhouse organization for our people,” Wade said.
On the importance of GLAAD, Wade said, “I’m queer, and they have been providing support for the queer community for so long, and it has been so impactful. It’s my life blood.”
“Today, for me, is about expression and creativity. Honestly, every day should be but especially today, when you are around your people, it’s about comfortability and being yourself,” Wade added.
Jessica Vosk
On being a part of this event, Vosk said, “It’s the honor of my life. I love it! I’ve been wanting to do an event with GLAAD for so many years, and I feel this is my pinnacle moment.”
On being a part of “Hell’s Kitchen” on Broadway, Vosk said, “It has been amazing. It’s not every day that Alicia Keys comes to the show and says, ‘let’s sing a song together and have a little concert’ so that probably made my entire year, and it has been a dream to be there, especially to sing Alicia Keys’ music.”
“I have loved Alicia Keys’ music my entire life, and now, I get to sing that music on Broadway. It’s an embarrassment of riches,” Vosk noted.
This past July, Vosk recalled being a part of the charitable event Broadway Barks (hosted by Bernadette Peters and Beth Leavel).
“I wish I adopted several dogs that day. I wish I did even though I have my little son ‘Fred’ at home, but that is one of my favorite community days. There are so many people that adopt in Broadway Barks, so please adopt!”
“From tonight, I want people to care about everyone and to care about everybody’s rights,” Vosk underscored. “It is important to know that everyone should have the same rights, especially right now with what is happening in our country and in our world.”
“GLAAD is an exquisite organization showing exactly what it takes to get matters in the forefront and that’s what we need right now more than anybody. I am very proud to be an ally,” Vosk elaborated.
Sarah Kate Ellis — President and CEO of GLAAD
“I think tonight is a really special night because we are celebrating our 40th anniversary in an incredible time in our society and in our country, where we do need to gather and come together,” Ellis said.
“We need to get our energy up and our fight up, so I am very excited about tonight,” Ellis admitted.
“I appreciate all the hard work from all the folks who are going to be in this room… they are people who have worked tirelessly for the LGBTQ community, and I think that is going to be super special,” she elaborated.
On the significance of this cause, Ellis expressed, “I think everyone matters in this world. LGBTQ people matter as well. We’ve often been invisible, or we have been the target of political attacks, which is what is happening now.”
“So, it’s really important that GLAAD stands up for our community and is a voice for our community, and it pushes back against the lies and the misinformation,” Ellis explained.
“From today’s event, I want people to be energized, and I want them to be excited and inspired,” Ellis concluded.
For more information on GLAAD, visit its official website, and follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.
Read More: Cheyenne Jackson interview.
