The annual GLAAD Media Awards were handed out last night, March 16, in New York, with the highest profile award presented to Anderson Cooper by none other than Madonna.
Cooper received the Vito Russo Award for his work in the queer community. In his acceptance speech, he said that being gay is “one of the greatest blessings” of his life.
Madonna spent the night dressed in a Boy Scouts of America uniform to draw attention to the ongoing discrimination against gay Scouts and leaders who are banned from the organization.
Other award winners included the television show Smash, which won for Outstanding Drama Series. How to Survive a Plague won Outstanding Documentary, and The Amazing Race won for Outstanding Reality Program.
Below are video interviews with some of the evening’s attendees, including June Shannon (Honey Boo Boo’s mother), actor Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), actor Wesley Taylor (Smash), Mallory Hagan (Miss America) and Minnesota Vikings football player Chris Kluwe.
The GLAAD Media Awards continue in Los Angeles and San Francisco later this year.