ABC/Craig Sjodin(LOS ANGELES) — Kerry Washington was one of the honorees Saturday night at the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. She was presented with GLAAD’s Vanguard Award by Ellen DeGeneres.
The honor is given to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
During her acceptance speech, the Scandal star called for more LGBT representation both in front of and behind the camera.
She declared, “We can’t say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity, and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each other’s existence, and the truth of each other’s hearts. We must be allies and we must be allies in this business, because to be represented is to be humanized, and as long as anyone anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake, and we are all vulnerable.”
Channing Tatum presented director Roland Emmerich with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which recognizes openly LGBT media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality.
The Imitation Game was awarded the prize for outstanding film — wide release. TV winners included ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, Amazon’s Transparent, and HBO’s The Normal Heart.
A list of winners from Saturday’s ceremony is available on GLAAD.org. Additional winners will be announced at a New York ceremony on May 9.
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