April 13, 2014
J-Lo, Laverne Cox Win GLAAD Media Awards
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Jennifer Lopez has added a couple of more trophies to her block.
The pop star and "American Idol" judge was honored Saturday night at the 25th annual GLAAD Media Awards with the Vanguard Award, which lauds efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community. In addition to being an outspoken advocate for gay rights, Lopez serves as executive producer of the ABC Family series "The Fosters," which centers on a lesbian couple raising their children. "The Fosters" also won the award for outstanding drama series.
Other winners at the Beverly Hilton Hotel ceremony included NBC's "Days of Our Lives" for daily drama, Fuse's "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" for reality program, Tegan and Sara for music artist and "Young Avengers" for comic book. "Bridegroom" and "Call Me Kuchu" tied for the outstanding documentary trophy.
"Orange is the New Black" star Laverne Cox was presented with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is given to a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender member of the entertainment community. Previous recipients include Wanda Sykes, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Ellen DeGeneres and Ian McKellen.
Norman Lear, the veteran producer of such sitcoms as "All in the Family" and "Maude," was honored with the Pioneer Award.
The awards salute fair, accurate and inclusive representation in media of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives. Other winners will be presented at a New York ceremony on May 3.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.