There were many great moments at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City Saturday night, but among the best were terrific musical performances by Kylie Minogue and Kacey Musgraves, and George Takei’s witty and moving acceptance speech as recipient of the Vito Russo Award.
“I am so proud to be here representing country music,” said Musgraves, the first country artist to perform at the GLAAD Awards, before launching into “Follow Your Arrow,” a song with such inclusive lyrics as “make lots of noise, kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into” and “love who you love.”
Minogue, introduced by Boy George, noted her mutually supportive relationship with her LGBT fans, saying, “Acceptance is natural to me, but unfortunately it isn’t to so many people. … The LGBT community has really been there for me throughout my entire career.” She also commented on how impressed she’s been by some of the drag queens who impersonate her, then stood on a table to lead the crowd in a sing-along of “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”
Takei made the crowd laugh when he told them, “Tonight, I know it’s OK to be Takei,” and joked about his “checkered past” before turning serious, praising the work of GLAAD and others to improve LGBT representation in the media, and adding that much work remains to be done for LGBT equality. “Working in concert with GLAAD, with its history of achievement and the legacy of Vito Russo, we will make this a better world, a more equal society of all people. … I accept the GLAAD Vito Russo Award with pride, and with humility, and with resolve,” he said.
Watch video of all three moments below, and find more highlights at GLAAD.org.
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