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Will Phillips Shines at GLAAD Media Awards


Will Phillips x390 (Getty) I Advocate.com

Will Phillips, the 11-year-old Arkansas boy who refuses to say the pledge of allegiance at school until gays and lesbians have full equality, stole the show with his acceptance speech addressed to President Barack Obama at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on Saturday.

Phillips took the stage at the Times Square Marriott accompanied by his parents to accept the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment for “Why Will Won’t Pledge Alliance” on CNN. Comedian Sandra Bernhard and actress Sarah Paulson presented the award.

Uncommonly poised, mature, and cerebral, the fifth-grader wowed the audience with remarks that included a “message for President Obama” asking the leader to use his “bully pulpit” to advance gay rights.

“My voice is small, but has gone far, and with hope has done much good,” said Phillips. “I think the bully pulpit of your office could go farther and with help do much more.”

“Thank you again, and to quote a great modern day thinker, ‘Live long and prosper,’” said Phillips, as he gave the Vulcan salute popularized by Mr. Spock on Star Trek.

Video of Phillips’s speech will be forthcoming from GLAAD. Check Advocate.com later today.

The speech from Phillips capped a GLAAD Media Awards marked by seriousness of purpose and the traditional glamour. In addition to celebrities, speakers included Elke Kennedy, the mother of Sean Kennedy, the young South Carolina gay man beaten to death outside a gay bar in 2008, and Patrick Burke, the brother of deceased openly gay hockey player, Brendan Burke. Patrick accepted the award for Outstanding Digital Journalism Article for “We Love You, This Won’t Change a Thing” written by John Buccigross for ESPN.

GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios told Advocate.com that the evening represented an evolution in the mission of GLAAD as he discussed the organization’s work on the red carpet before the awards show.

“It’s time for us to tell GLAAD’s story, what GLAAD does, how we try to impact America,” said Barrios. “That’s not through lobbying, that’s not through court cases. We try to impact America through helping LGBT Americans achieve equality by amplifying their voices. We help people understand, respect, and accept gay America. That is where equality ultimately comes from.”

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Geoff
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 11:38:55 PM
    Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

    Comment:

    People as far away as Australia are inspired by this young man. He bodes well for the future of the USA.

  • Name: Russ Nesiba
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 2:13:09 PM
    Hometown: Denver, CO

    Comment:

    wow... the country IS on the right track, eh? I can't believe those words actually came from this young, outstanding, knowledgable individual who's couragous enough to speak up. I, too will vote for you whenever you run for President ( If i'm still alive and able)... thank you, will! Russ

  • Name: BrianZ
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 1:22:26 PM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    Delicious

  • Name: TJ
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 10:43:39 AM
    Hometown: Virginia Beach

    Comment:

    aside from sounding a bit like a smaller, hairier version of DR. EVIL...the kid's brilliant...

  • Name: Terry
    Date posted: 3/16/2010 1:10:37 AM
    Hometown: Perth, Australia

    Comment:

    If an 11 year old can have that much love, comapssion and intelligence, there is hope for the rest of us after all.

  • Name: Charity
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 11:20:57 PM
    Hometown: Skagway, Alaska

    Comment:

    Will Phillips, can we clone you? You are an inspiration.

  • Name: Andy M
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 10:16:23 PM
    Hometown: Southern Pines, NC

    Comment:

    What a great kid! Your parents should be extremely proud of you! Honestly, you kick ass and when you run for President in 30 years and if I'm still alive, I will vote for you!

  • Name: Christina
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 9:18:08 PM
    Hometown: Arkansas

    Comment:

    You're an idiot. You speak about things you don't even know about. If you educated yourself before you spoke, you would know he has two parents, and man and a woman. And his parents are wonderful people. You are one of the few (only, as of right now) people who felt the need to leave a negative comment. You are the people that "don't get it."

  • Name: Michael Parido
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 7:56:44 PM
    Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois

    Comment:

    What a guy, what a man. I'm impressed. Thank you Will, for having the courage and insight to do for me what I have never done for myself. Godspeed.

  • Name: bt
    Date posted: 3/15/2010 7:29:53 PM
    Hometown: Fort Worth

    Comment:

    Just a note to Philip!!!1 This is a very smart Young boy who can think for himself.. And who is to say he is not in a good christian home. I think it is children like this that bring hope to the fyture of this nation. And I am very proud that he is standing up for what HE believes in.



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