Grammy Award-winning singer Mariah Carey received the Ally Award at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York on Saturday. Presenting the honor was film and television producer Lee Daniels,co-creator of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series Empire.
The Ally Award is presented to a media figure who has consistently used their platform to support and advance LGBT equality and acceptance. Previous GLAAD Media Awards honorees include Elizabeth Taylor, Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson, Russell Simmons, Cher, and more.
Carey has long embraced her LGBT fanbase worldwide, consistently sending messages of support in media interviews and gracing the cover of OUT Magazine. She has participated in GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day, wearing purple to show her support for LGBT youth.
In addition to appearing in the LGBT-inclusive film Precious, the global superstar has tirelessly voiced her support for marriage equality. Carey has also spoken lovingly about the important role a gay couple played in her childhood, saying they were “my template for a great relationship.” During a concert in 2009, she brought a gay fan onstage to propose to his boyfriend.
“Through her music and outspoken support, Mariah Carey has inspired and empowered countless LGBT fans across the globe,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “She is a longtime ally and friend to the LGBT community who has worked tirelessly to move acceptance and inclusion forward.”
Jennifer Lawrence presented the Excellence in Media Award to Robert De Niro. Lee Daniels presented the Ally Award to Mariah Carey. Laverne Cox hosted the event. Bebe Rexha performed, as did actor and singer Alex Newell, and Fun Home’s Kally Duling and Emily Skeggs. Guests included: Aziz Ansari (Master of None); journalist Diane Sawyer; Connie Britton (Nashville); Andrew Rannells (Girls); Noah Galvin (The Real O’Neals); Tamron Hall (Today); Caitlyn Jenner; out transgender supermodel Andreja Pejić; Diane Kruger (Fathers and Daughters); Lea DeLaria, Jackie Cruz, Laura Gómez, Diane Guerrero, Selenis Leyva, Alysia Reiner (Orange Is The New Black); Carrie Preston (The Good Wife); CNN contributor Margaret Hoover; The Daily Beast editor-in-chief John Avlon; supermodel Josephine Skriver; Jason Biggs, Jenny Mollen (Amateur Night); out WWE superstar Darren Young; Alexandra Turshen, Eric Schaeffer (Boy Meets Girl); journalist Teresa Rodriguez (Aquí y Ahora); producer Darren Dean, Karren Karagulian (Tangerine); Apple Music & iTunes executive Bozoma Saint John; out country music artist Billy Gilman; out transgender advocate Daniella Carter; out writer and advocate Jacob Tobia; fashion designers Prabal Gurung, Brandon Maxwell, Shane Gabier, and Chris Peters; early transgender model Tracey Norman; actor and trans advocate Nicole Maines, her brother Jonas Maines, and their father Wayne Maines; and GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
The Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards were held on April 2 at the Beverly Hilton. For video, photos, and more, visit: http://glaad.org/mediaawards/recap. The 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo.
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives. They also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality and acceptance.
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