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GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer media advocacy organization, will be honored with the 2023 Governors Award, the Television Academy announced today. The organization will be recognized for its work over nearly four decades to secure fair, accurate and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industries and to advocate for LGBTQ equality. GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, will accept the award during the Jan. 15 Emmy Awards telecast on Fox.
First awarded in 1978, the Governors Award honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television, according to the Television Academy. Last year’s award went to the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Debbie Allen was honored with the award in 2021, and Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation were recognized in 2020.
Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, author of The Celluloid Closet, and other LGBTQ advocates, GLAAD works with leaders in television, film, gaming, news, business, politics and more to lead the global conversation and ensure authentic and diverse LGBTQ stories are seen and heard. “GLAAD’s diligence and influence are especially critical in today’s world as we’re seeing a flood of anti-LGBTQ legislation being proposed across the country. We are honored to recognize GLAAD’s commitment to equality for all,” said Governors Award Selection Committee Chair Kim Taylor-Coleman.
“Television shapes our society and influences dialogue that increases understanding and acceptance, making GLAAD’s work so important to the LGBTQ community to legislative bodies and to the public,” said Frank Scherma, Chair of the Television Academy. “Through its education and advocacy programs, it has had a culture-changing impact.”
Ellis has served as president and CEO of GLAAD since 2014.
“This tremendous honor from the Television Academy is a testament to the historic and impactful work of GLAAD’s founders, board members and staff over the past four decades as well as the LGBTQ executives, creators and talent who are telling authentic LGBTQ stories on television,” said Ellis. “At a time when our world seems more divided and media plays an outsized role in shaping culture, television has the unique power to tell human stories that grow empathy and acceptance. This honor is just the latest example of how the Television Academy plays a pivotal role in ensuring accurate and diverse storytelling, which educates, entertains and enlightens.”
The TV Academy pointed out GLAAD’s annual Where We Are on TV report tracks the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBTQ representation while also informing GLAAD’s own advocacy within the television industry.
GLAAD runs campaigns, programs and initiatives focused on visibility and dialogue about LGBTQ people and issues, including Spirit Day, when leaders in entertainment, news, sports and education speak out in support of LGBTQ youth. Most recently, GLAAD held its inaugural Black Queer Creative Summit, which brought over 150 Black LGBTQ writers and creatives together to share best practices for working in the entertainment industry. GLAAD has also consulted with organizations that represent other historically marginalized communities to share best practices and advance their work with the media.
The annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honor outstanding LGBTQ-inclusive news and entertainment projects, will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year.
Other previous recipients of the Governors Award include Star Trek, American Idol, mtvU Campaign for Darfur, PBS, Masterpiece Theater, Hallmark Cards Inc. and Walter Cronkite.
The 75th Emmy Awards will air on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, (8-11 PM EST/5-8 PM PST) on Fox.
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