Sarah Kate Ellis, Bruce Cohen, and Ross Mathews all spoke with Markos Papadatos at New York’s GLAAD GALA, which was held on Friday, October 23rd at Cipriani 25 Broadway.
Sarah Kate Ellis on the significance of GLAAD
“This cause is important to me because I understand how powerful the media is, especially in shaping people’s opinions and thoughts,” Sarah Kate Ellis said. “It is really important that GLAAD is a part of that media ecosystem to ensure safety for our community.”
“I want people to understand that GLAAD is on the frontlines fighting, and we need people’s support to keep doing that,” she acknowledged.
Honoring Bruce Cohen
Last night at its New York Gala, GLAAD, the leading global media advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality, honored acclaimed producer Bruce Cohen.
Mr. Cohen is an Oscar and Tony winner and a Emmy nominee. He was presented with the prestigious Vito Russo Award, celebrated for exceptional contributions to LGBTQ equality. The Vito Russo Award, named in honor of GLAAD’s co-founder—the celebrated LGBTQ film historian and ACT UP co-founder, was presented to Cohen by Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose and Bruce’s daughter Ilaria.
On receiving the Vito Russo Award, Cohen remarked, “It feels extraordinary! Vito was such an icon and everything he stood for being one of the co-founders of GLAAD. I devoted my career in producing and activism, so it feel to really incredible to be getting this honor tonight.”
“Winning the Oscar as a producer of ‘American Beauty’ felt amazing,” Cohen exclaimed. “I don’t know if tonight will quite be that but you want to collect a lot of exciting nights in your life. That was one for the books, for sure.”
On his definition of the word success, Cohen said, “Success means that every member of the queer community around the world is safe, has the right to be themselves free of violence. We are a long way off from that.”
Ross Mathews as host
Hosted by GLAAD’s Emmy and GLAAD Media Award winner Ross Mathews. “This is so fun! I’ve hosted so many times before, and it never gets old,” he admitted. “I care about this, I care about GLAAD and I am here for a reason… and it’s to be one of the voices on the forefront of this mission to spread word about our community and let people know that we are human beings!”
“I want people to see how much good work is going on by GLAAD, to make sure that our community is visible, and it’s not easy. I am here tonight to say that we are not going anywhere,” he added.
Performances
The event featured memorable live musical appearances including Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose who performed Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again” during a moving tribute to the LGBTQ ally which was sponsored by Presenting Sponsor Hyundai Motor America.
Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Alex Newell delivered a standout live performance of “Independently Owned” from “Shucked” to a packed room of notables including Andrew Matarazzo, Brooks Marks, Chloe Marks, Dan Amboyer, Frankie Grande, Gabrielle Browdy, Henry R. Muñoz, John Roberts, Jon Cryer, Karim Diané, Lauren Chan, Lisa Joyner, Racquel Chevremont, Margaret Cho, Max Talisman, Meredith Marks & Seth Marks, Nick Alvino, Peppermint, Sandra Lee, Seven Havens, Spencer Macnaughton, Stark & Collin Kriby, Sterling Jones, Tyler Whitman and Zeke Thomas
The evening which celebrates the courage, vision and future of the LGBTQ community was sponsored by Hyundai Motor America, Skydance, Absolut Vodka, Gilead, Hornitos, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Bank, Novartis, Teneo, Yahoo, Edelman, NBA, NFL, Proskauer, RSM, and Skittles.
Sarah Kate Ellis remembers Dolly Parton
“Dolly taught us how to love everyone fully, and truly, and not to be mean,” she said. “Dolly was a kind, kind person.”
Background on GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic force in media, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke powerful dialogue that shifts culture. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and advances LGBTQ representation, creating a world where everyone can live the life they love.
From its founding in response to harmful and inaccurate coverage of the AIDS crisis, to today’s frontlines of entertainment, news, politics, podcasts, AI, and social media, GLAAD has always championed in the power of storytelling to change the world.
