NEW YORK, May 9 (Reuters) - MSNBC news anchor Thomas Roberts and talk show host Kelly Ripa were among honorees at GLAAD's annual media awards on Saturday, which recognize representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Roberts, 42, who came out as gay in 2006, accepted the group's Vito Russo Award for promoting equality in the gay community.
The award, named after the activist and film historian who was one of the founding member of media advocacy group GLAAD, was presented to him by Lynda Carter, best known as television's "Wonder Woman" in the 1970s.
"It was liberating, and frightening as hell," Roberts said, recalling the period when he became open about being gay.
"People like me were considered immoral at best, a joke," Roberts said, noting that while things had improved for gay people, "we have a long way to go."
Past winners of the award include Suze Orman, Rosie O'Donnell, Elton John, Tom Ford and CNN newsman Anderson Cooper.
Accepting the Excellence in Media Award from Cooper in recognition of her advocacy for gay issues, Ripa, co-host of the daily "Live With Kelly and Michael" reflected that she thought it a bit odd that "I should be celebrated for treating people like people."
In other awards handed out at the 26th annual ceremony, Sports Illustrated was cited for outstanding overall magazine coverage, with the honor accepted by groundbreaking gay athletes Jason Collins and Michael Sam.
"Lilting," about the relationship of a mother and her son's lover following the son's death, was named outstanding limited release film, while Showtime's "L Word Mississippi: Hate the Sin," about gay women living in the southern United States, won the documentary prize.
TV One's "R&B Divas: Atlanta" was named outstanding reality television show.
HBO's "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" won for outstanding talk show episode while MSNBC Live took the honor for best TV journalism segment, about anti-gay discrimination in the workplace.
Nickelodeon's "Nick News" with Linda Ellerbee, the Salt Lake City Tribune, Time magazine and Fusion.net were among winners for broadcast, print and digital journalism.
GLAAD presented other awards in Los Angeles last month, honoring "The Imitation Game," "The Normal Heart" and filmmkaer Roland Emmerich among others.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
