Janet Mock and Taylor Swift will be honored at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards for their contributions to the LGBTQ community.
Activist-writer-director-producer Mock will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak award, presented to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance. The award’s namesake devoted his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as those living with HIV.
Mock works as a producer, writer and director on the FX series, Pose; the show won “Outstanding Drama Series” at last year’s GLAAD Media Awards. She also became the first transgender woman of color to write and direct an episode of television. Last year, she signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix to write, direct and executive produce projects that tell historically underrepresented stories.
GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis describes Mock as a trailblazing force for diverse and inclusive storytelling who has raised the bar for LGBTQ representation in Hollywood.
“She tells stories that need to be told, including those of transgender people and people of color, in revolutionary and eye-opening ways that inspire and enrich.”
Sarah Kate Ellis
Grammy-award winner Swift will receive the Vanguard Award, presented to allies who have used their platform to promote LGBTQ acceptance.
In the past, Swift received criticism for staying quiet about political issues but has since become more open to sharing her political values. She donated to the Tennessee Equality Project, an organization fighting for equal rights for LGBTQ people in Tennessee and rallying against anti-LGBTQ bills. Last year, Swift wrote to Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee asking him to support the Equality Act. The act would protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, and other public accommodations. She also created a Change.org petition encouraging her fans to support the act.
Swift’s music video for “You Need To Calm Down” featured LGBTQ celebrities such as Laverne Cox, Ellen Degeneres and more. The video also mocked those who are against same-sex marriage. It later won “Video for Social Good” and “Video of the Year” at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. During her acceptance speech, Swift called out the Trump Administration for ignoring her petition.
Ellis states that Swift proudly uses her unique ability to influence pop culture to promote LGBTQ acceptance.
“In a time of political and cultural division, Taylor creates music that unites and calls on her massive fan following to speak up and call for change.”
The 31st GLAAD Media Awards take place in New York at the Hilton Midtown on March 19 and in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on April 16.
