Native Son Awards Celebrate Gay Black Men (Photos)

Journalist, Native Son Creator Emil Wilbekin (L) and Honoree, journalist Don Lemon attend at The inaugural Native Son Awards honoring George C. Wolfe, Don Lemon and DeRay Mckesson at Cadillac House on November 30, 2016 in New York City.

Don Lemon, George C. Wolfe, and DeRay Mckessen, were among the honorees at the inaugural Native Son awards, which celebrate gay black men who work in media, social activism, and entertainment.

Emil Wilbekin, the journalist and LGBT activist who hosted the event, called it a night "to celebrate us." 

“You all are the brain trust that will fuel what Native Son can be as we move forward. We have to be comfortable with who we are. We have to be comfortable to show up for ourselves and we have to be comfortable in our skin. And we have to be comfortable seeing each other and saying hello to each other. So tonight we’re going to change the narrative. It is a new day," said Wilbekin.