Randy’s Big Adventure: The 2024 GLAAD Media Awards

It’s been a week since the NYC edition of the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, and I wanted to share some of my adventure as a first-time attendee and nominee! The 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards took place at the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, celebrating the best in LGBTQ+ media and advocacy. From the second hubby Michael Caprio and I arrived, everyone at GLAAD treated me like a prince. We were quickly checked in, whisked up to the red carpet, and into a VIP reception. #fancy

I was honored to be nominated for Outstanding Blog. And no, I won’t keep you in suspense—the very-worthy Erin Reed (Erin In The Morning) won my category for her amazing year-round reporting on transgender issues. In a very classy move, she gave a shout-out to the other nominees in the Outstanding Blog category and urged her readers to follow us. While walking the red carpet, I ran straight into out country music artist (and first pro baseball player to come out while still playing) Bryan Ruby. I’ve interviewed Bryan via Zoom but hadn’t met him in person. I was great to catch up face to face.

Michael and I were joined for the event by our longtime bestie, TV executive producer Javi Morgado and his bf Julio. We had just a minute with our friends Tony Morrison, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Communications, and Anthony Allen Ramos, Vice President of Communications & Talent, who were super-busy all night.

Plus, I reconnected with my fellow nominee (and prior Emmy and GLAAD Media Award winner) Hendrik Hinzel. Hendrick and I met at a reception for this year’s nominees in February. Neither of us knew anyone there, but spotted each other across the room and realized maybe the two introverts who don’t know each other could become ‘reception buddies’ and keep each other company for the evening. What a talented guy – I’m happy to have made a new friend.

Thanks everyone for your congratulations and good wishes about this. It was an amazing ride. More about the evening… Laverne Cox presented this year’s Excellence in Media Award to Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson for her work promoting allyship and acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues. https://youtu.be/4pZpwYGMKEA?si=ds9eLfUC1Xi4-_mc Orville Peck received the Vito Russo Award, given to openly LGBTQ media professionals who have made a significant difference in accelerating LGBTQ acceptance, presented by Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence. https://youtu.be/irXND2EeFj4?si=0ZUcgz7kCDqLXj8s GLAAD presented the following awards onstage in New York:

• “Our America Who I’m Meant to Be – Episode 3” received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form presented by Don Lemon

• Family Karma received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program presented by the cast of We’re Here (Jaida Essence Hall, Latrice Royale, Priyanka, Sasha Velour)

• Melissa Etheridge: My Window received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Broadway Production presented by Uma Thurman

• “Jennifer Hudson Surprises HIV Activist with $10,000” The Jennifer Hudson Show received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode presented by Carla Gugino and Mary McDonnell

• Red, White, and Royal Blue received the GLAAD Media Award for Queer Fan Favorite presented by Cody Rigsby and Beanie Feldstein

GLAAD also announced these winners in a video montage:

• Outstanding Podcast: Las Culturistas (iHeart)

• Outstanding Film – Streaming Or TV: Rustin (Netflix)

• Outstanding Documentary: Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later (MTV Documentary Films), Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures), and The Stroll (HBO | Max Documentary Films)

• Outstanding New Series: The Last of Us (HBO)

• Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Live Action: Heartstopper (Netflix)

• Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “New York City Gay Bar Deaths Classified as Homicides” (NBC News Now)

• Outstanding Live TV Journalism – Segment or Special: “Indiana Students Put on LGBTQ-Themed Play Themselves After it’s Canceled By the School” Yasmin Vossoughian Reports (MSNBC)

• Outstanding Print Article: “As Drag Bans Proliferate, Maren Morris Goes Deep With Drag’s Biggest Stars on Why the Show Must Go On” by Stephen Daw (Billboard)

• Outstanding Online Journalism Article: “The AP Interview: Pope Francis Says Homosexuality Not a Crime” by Nicole Winfield (AP.com)

• Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia: “7 Remarkable Trans Elders Share Lessons for the Next Generation” (them.us)

• Outstanding Blog: Erin Reed – Erin in the Morning

Click here for a complete list of honorees. The event raised $350,000, primarily supporting get-out-the-vote initiatives and ad campaigns for the upcoming election season. While the GLAAD Media Awards celebrated achievements, GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis spoke eloquently about the ongoing struggles and political battles faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

We must protect the rights we’ve gained over the years for the LGBTQ community while continuing to push for equality and acceptance. ️‍️‍⚧️ #GLAADAwards pic.twitter.com/9PZCnnaOd8

— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) May 12, 2024

Check out more moments from the evening below and thanks GLAAD for the cool experience.