Detroit Piston's player Reggie Bullock brought the crowd to its feet at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on May 5, where he spoke out for LGBTQ acceptance and talked about his love for his transgender sister. Trans actresses Amiyah Scott (Star) and Angelica Ross (Pose) introduced Bullock at the event. Bullock lost his trans sister, Mia Henderson, to fatal violence in 2014 and has since committed to using his platform to bring attention to the violence that transgender people face in this country, as well as supporting, celebrating and accelerating acceptance for all LGBTQ people.
Ross Mathews hosted the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City which included a duet from LGBTQ icons Adam Lambert and Melissa Etheridge. Samira Wiley received the Vito Russo Award from co-star Alexis Bledel, Ava DuVernay received the Excellence in Media Award from Sen. Cory Booker, and Ms. Gloria Carter received a special reognition from Robin Roberts for her son JAY-Z's song "Smile." Presenters during the event included Tituss Burgess, Laverne Cox, Lea Michele, Nyle DiMarco, Asia Kate Dillon, Nico Tortorella and stars of NBC's Rise.
When introducing Bullock, Scott said: "we’re trying to shine a positive light on trans women. Because it has been another scary, even deadly year for us, and we’ve got a long way to go before we reach true acceptance."
After taking the stage, Bullock powerfully spoke about his late sister: "And after she was murdered, I knew I had to use my platform to help Mia and women like her. I will do anything, go to any event, any parade, talk in any locker room about acceptance. I want the world to see what acceptance looks like, and hear that message from a straight guy, a professional athlete. Guess what – athletes have voices and we should be able to stand up for what we believe in. Am I right?"
Earlier this year, GLAAD worked with trans advocate Chandi Moore, Athlete Ally, and the Detroit Pistons on a video that was released on Transgender Day of Visibility to spotlight Bullock's story and LGBTQ advocacy. The GLAAD Media Institute also trained Bullock to discuss trans issues in the media and tell his story.
The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to accelerate acceptance of the LGBTQ community. The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Gilead, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, and Wells Fargo.
