Caitlyn Jenner was honoured at the GLAAD Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday (02.04.16).
The transgender reality TV star’s show ‘I Am Cait’, tied with ‘I Am Jazz’ to win the Outstanding Reality Program gong at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Transgender filmmaker Lilly Wachowski made her first public appearance since her transition at the ceremony, where she picked up the award for Best Drama Series for ‘Sense8’.
In her emotional speech, Lilly, whose sister Lana came out as transgender in 2012, said: “My sister likes to joke, you can’t write this s**t. Where do we find the courage to break free of the boxes of our lives, to transcend an overcome tragedy? The monsters within and the violence we do to ourselves when we are too afraid to be who we really are.
“And while the ideas of identity and transformation are components of our work, the bedrock that all ideas rest upon is love. Love is a crucial thing for transgender people, it’s a tether.
“When faced with a rather simple proposition of whether you’re unloveable, our imagination falters. Too many of us end up on the wrong side of the existential question of love or oblivion. And so we ring that bell. Not just for everyone else’s sake but our own.”
Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance when she introduced her pal Ruby Rose, who won the Stephen F. Kolzak award, which is presented to “an LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance”.
She said: “Tonight I’m here to honour someone who, through her words and through her actions, proves that she is a force of nature. She tells the world that no one can judge us and no one can stop us. She is a woman of many talents and she is my friend.
“Ruby breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for all people, but most importantly, young LGBT people all over the world.” And Demi Lovato picked up the Vanguard Award, which is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance.
GLAAD Media Awards Winners 2016
Vanguard Award: Demi Lovato
Stephen F. Kolzak Award: Ruby Rose
Outstanding Reality Program: ‘I Am Cait’ and ‘I Am Jazz’
Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series: ‘Bessie’
Best Drama Series: ‘Sense8’
Outstanding Film- Wide Release: ‘Carol’
Outstanding Comedy Series: ‘Transparent’
Outstanding Documentary: ‘Kumu Hina’
Outstanding Daily Drama: ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’
Outstanding Music Artist: ‘Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood’
Outstanding Comic Book: ‘Lumberjanes’
