GLAAD's 2014 Media Awards took place on Saturday, and actor and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activist George Takei was among those honored.
Takei was the recipient of the Vito Russo Award, an honor given to an out member of the LGBT community who has made a significant difference in the promotion of equality. During his acceptance speech, Takei discussed the way the media has changed its framing of LGBT issues and the treatment of the queer community.
...As a closeted kid growing up in Los Angeles… all I saw of gays and lesbians in movies and television or heard on radio were caricatures of people who were mocked and laughed at, or pitied or hated. The media stripped us of all humanity and made us into pathetic stereotypes. The media then was a soul-crushing monster. GLAAD took on this formidable beast with its media savvy, political acumen and the power of its advocacy and transformed the media into a powerful force for change. GLAAD inspired and galvanized others into action to join with in the great 21st century civil rights movement.
The speech in full can be heard in the above video.
Others to attend the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards included actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox, Kylie Minogue and actress Naomi Watts. The full list of award winners is available here.
(h/t Towleroad)
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