Jai Rodriguez, Teresa Rodriguez, Ivy Queen and Frank Cairo were among the celebrities and guests who joined the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) as it honored actor Wilson Cruz and the best in Spanish-language media at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in South Florida. Comedian and singer Jade Esteban Estrada hosted the event, and platinum selling R&B singer Deborah Cox performed.

At the ceremony held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., Jai Rodriguez, host of Groomer Has It, presented Wilson Cruz with GLAAD's Visibilidad Award, honoring openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community.

Joe Granda presented reggaeton star, Ivy Queen, with a Special Recognition Award. Queen is the first reggaeton singer to openly support and acknowledge the gay community in her shows and with her presence in gay events.

Also at the ceremony, Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, presented a Special Recognition Award to The Intelligence Report, a publication of the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Editor in Chief Mark Potok and staff writer Casey Sanchez accepted the award.

Other guests and presenters included: Craig Stevens (WSVN-TV); Pablo Portillo, Alonso Espeleta (Pecados Ajenos); Derek Hartley (Sirius OUTQ); Judge David Young; Gremys Jardines, (In Fraganti); DJ Abel; Gilberto Reyes, Miguel González (WXDJ-95.7 FM); Ileana García (WRMA-106.7 FM); and Dan Renzi (The Real World: Miami).

Additional awards will be presented in Los Angeles on April 26 at the Kodak Theatre, and in San Francisco on May 10 at the San Francisco Marriott.

For a complete list of award recipients [more]
South Florida press release [more] [ en Español ]
South Florida photo gallery [more]