GLAAD Awards 2023: a night of LBGTQ+ and Latino representation

The GLAAD Awards (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) took place last night, in which members of the LGBTQ+ community, Latinos and people of color, were honored for their achievements in the music, TV and movie industries.

GLAAD Awards honors “those in the media who have shown exemplary achievements for fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect our lives,” the organization’s website states. It has become themost visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, since its creation in 1990, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.

The first wave of the 34th edition of the GLAAD Media Awards was announced this Thursday, with HBO’s The White Lotus and Prime Video’s A League of Their Own among the TV shows taking home trophies.

On the Latino representation side of the night, reggaeton pop star Bad Bunny received the Vanguard Award from Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. GLAAD awarded the trophy to the after considering him an ally of the LGBTQ+ community through his music, the multiple artistic projects he stars in, and the social causes he supports.

“Can I speak Spanish?” he said, after receiving a standing ovation. He then went on to thank everyone present in his native tongue. “The first thing I want to do is thank GLAAD for this recognition, and the entire LGBTQ community for embracing and loving me the way they do, and for inspiring me as well.”

“I don’t do anything expecting awards, I do everything because I feel it and it is the only thing I have done. I think that following my heart is what has led me to where I am, it is what has led me to be here receiving this award surrounded by so many beautiful people. When you have a good heart and when you give love, that’s what you get back,” El Conejo Malo added.

Ricky Martin had previously praised his compatriot by distinguishing him as an “icon for the queer Latino community” and “the most streamed artist in history,” who “is loudly standing with trans women and the entire community” and letting “the LGBTQ people dance, sing love and live lives authentically. That could not be more important right now.”

“Bad Bunny uses his trade to speak powerfully as an ally of transgender people and promote equality for the LGBTQ community, bringing his own voice to help others see themselves in the world,” said GLAAD’s post thanking the singer.

Christina Aguilera, who is of Ecuadorian descent, received the Advocate for Change Award from Club Q shooting survivor Michael Anderson. In her speech, she said she grew up surrounded by the LGBTQ community and “side-by-side we’ve learned and taught each other everything about life, from business to relationships to music, family, partying—I don’t know who does it better—and of course, how to give a good blow job. We know how to get dirty!”

Christina added: “Having grown up in a home with domestic violence, it was seeing my mom in a powerless position that first ignited the fire in me to speak up for all of the people whose voices don’t get heard. We all need to raise our voices if we want to live in a world that’s free of discrimination, hate and violence.”

Puerto Rican drag king Vico Ortiz took home the Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism award for his work on Primer Impacto (Univision), and the kids horror-comedy HBO show Los Espookys, which is based in Ciudad de Mexico, won the Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted TV Series award.

Finally, actor Jeremy Pope received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from The Inspection co-star Gabrielle Union, saying, “We know that we are targeted, our trans brothers and sisters; our rights seem to be at stake and at times I find my heart wrestling with this idea of ‘How do I know that is going to be OK?’ But it’s rooms like this that remind me of the power of this community, the power of love, how we will rise time and time again for each other.”

Some of the other big winners at the 34th annual shindig included 9-1-1 Lone Star, which won Outstanding Drama Series; What We Do in the Shadows, which took Outstanding Comedy Series; and Bros, which won on the movie side for Outstanding Film – Wide Release.

During the ceremony, GLAAD presented six categories onstage, and another nine others were announced. The remaining winners will be announced at GLAAD’s New York City ceremony on Saturday, May 13. Among those nominees is LATV’s own Juliana Joel, who stars in Raven’s Home, show that is competing in the Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Live Action category. The Puerto Rican actress made history for playing the first transgender character on the Disney Channel with her role of Nikki.

GLAAD Awards Full winners list

Outstanding New TV Series: “A League of Their Own” (Prime Video)

Outstanding Comedy Series: “What We Do in The Shadows” (FX)

Outstanding Film – Wide Release: “Bros” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Documentary: “Framing Agnes” (Kino Lorber)

Outstanding Film – Limited Release: “The Inspection” (A24)

Outstanding Music Artist: Fletcher, “Girl of My Dreams” (Capitol Records)

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: “The White Lotus” (HBOMax)

Outstanding Comic Book: “Poison Ivy” by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Atagun Ilhan, Brian Level, Stefano Gaudiano, Jay Leisten, Arif Prianto, Ivan Plascencia, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC Comics)

Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology: “Young Men in Love” (A Wave Blue World)

Outstanding Children’s Programming: “‘Adoptasaurus Rex’ Dino Ranch” (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: The Advocate

Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television Series: “Los Espookys” (HBO)

Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism: “Vico Ortiz Primer Impacto” (Univision)

Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media: Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade

Special Recognition: Alejandra Caraballo

Special Recognition: Drag Story Hour

Special Recognition: “Rothaniel” (HBO)

Special Recognition: #Letters4TransKids

Special Recognition: The Lesbian Bar Project

Special Recognition (Spanish-Language): “En Sus Palabras” (Univision)