Lifestyle

GLAAD Media Awards presenters support transgender athletes

Posted April 08, 2021 7:00 am

By LYNN ELBER

This image released by Pop TV shows, from left, Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and Dan Levy from the series "Schitt's Creek." The program received the GLAAD award for Outstanding Comedy Series. (Pop TV via AP) The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - 'œSchitt's Creek'ť and 'œThe Boys in the Band'ť were winners at the GLAAD Media Awards, which included soccer's Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger calling for transgender students to be accepted as 'œpart of the team'ť in sports.

Harris and Krieger, spouses who play for the Orlando Pride and were on the 2019 World Cup-winning U.S. women's national team, presented an award in Thursday's virtual ceremony to the film 'œHappiest Season,'ť about a lesbian romance.

The couple drew attention to transgender athletes amid widespread efforts to restrict their participation, including a recently signed Mississippi bill that bans them from competing on girls or women's sports teams. It becomes law July 1.

'œTrans students want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong,'ť Krieger said.

Added Harris: 'œWe shouldn't discriminate against kids and ban them from playing because they're transgender.'ť

'œStar Trek: Discovery,'ť 'œI May Destroy You'ť and 'œA Little Late with Lilly Singh'ť were among the other projects honored in the pre-taped ceremony hosted by Niecy Nash. It's available on Hulu through June.

The GLAAD awards, in their 32nd year, recognize what the media advocacy organization calls 'œfair, accurate, and inclusive'ť depictions of LGBTQ people and issues. Presenters and winners in this year's event highlighted priorities including the importance of solidarity and self-respect.

'œFriends, I'm so proud to stand with the LGBTQ community tonight, just as the LGBTQ community stands with Black and diverse communities,'ť said Sterling K. Brown, who presented the outstanding documentary award to 'œDisclosure."

The 'œThis Is Us'ť star, citing the Black Lives Matter and Black Trans Lives Matter movements, said that 'œwe're going to keep spreading that message of unity and justice until every one of us is safe to live the lives we love.'ť

JoJo Siwa, the teenage YouTube personality and performer, presented the award for outstanding children's programming to 'œThe Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo.'ť She said in January that she's part of the LGBTQ community.

'œI have the best, most amazing, wonderful girlfriend in the entire world who makes me so, so, so happy and that's all that matters,'ť Siwa said. 'ťIt's really cool that kids all around the world who look up to me can now see that loving who you want to love is totally awesome'ť and should be celebrated.

Other awards went to Sam Smith, who was honored as outstanding music artist for the album 'œLove Goes'ť; Chika, named breakthrough music artist for 'œIndustry Games,'ť and 'œWe're Here" won outstanding reality program.

Cast members from 'œGlee,'ť including Chris Colfer, Amber Riley and Jane Lynch, paid tribute to Naya Rivera and her character in the series, gay cheerleader Santana Lopez. Rivera, 33, died in an accidental drowning in July 2020.

___

Online:

https://www.glaad.org/

FILE - Sam Smith arrives at Jingle Ball in Inglewood, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2019. Smith received the GLAAD award for Outstanding Music Artist. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

This image released by Netflix shows Laverne Cox in a scene from "Disclosure," Sam Feder's documentary that surveys trans representation in film and TV. The film took home the GLAAD award for Outstanding Documentary. (Ava Benjamin Shorr/Netflix via AP) The Associated Press

This image released by Hulu shows Kristen Stewart, left, and Mackenzie Davis in a scene from "Happiest Season." The film took home the GLAAD award for Outstanding Film - Wide Release. (Jojo Whilden/Hulu via AP) The Associated Press

This image released by Paramount Plus shows, from left, Ian Alexander, Blu del Barrio and Wilson Cruz in a scene from the series "Star Trek: Discovery." The program won the GLAAD award for Outstanding Drama Series. (Michael Gibson/CBS via AP) The Associated Press

This image released by NBC shows Lilly Singh, host of "A Little Late with Lilly Singh." The segment 'Lilly Responds to Comments About Her Sexuality,' from Singh's late-night talk show won the GLAAD award for for Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode. (Scott Angelheart/NBC via AP) The Associated Press

This image released by Sesame Workshop shows muppet character Elmo, host of the family friendly show called "The Not Too Late Show with Elmo" on HBO Max. The series took home the GLAAD award for Outstanding Children's Programming. (Richard Termine/Sesame Workshop via AP) The Associated Press

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