LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD has been selected to receive the prestigious TV Academy’s 2023 Governors Award, continuing a tradition of recognizing those who have made a significant impact on the arts and science of television. This honor will be presented during the Primetime Emmys telecast on January 15, 2023, with GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis accepting the award on behalf of the organization.
GLAAD is being honored for its nearly four decades of work in securing fair, accurate, and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industries, as well as its advocacy for LGBTQ equality. This recognition from the TV Academy reflects the organization’s enduring commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance through the portrayal of LGBTQ individuals in the media.
Frank Scherma, chairman of the TV Academy, highlighted the crucial role of television in shaping society and promoting dialogue that further promotes compassion and inclusivity. He emphasized the significance of GLAAD’s work, stating, “Television shapes our society and influences dialogue that increases understanding and acceptance, making GLAAD’s work so important to the LGBTQ community, legislative bodies, and to the public. Through its education and advocacy programs, it has had a culture-changing impact.”
Each year, the TV Academy’s Board of Governors selects an individual, company, or organization that has made a profound, transformational, and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television for the Governors Award. Previous recipients include the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry, Star Trek, American Idol, PBS, Hallmark Cards Inc., and Walter Cronkite, among others. This year, GLAAD joins the ranks of these influential figures who have left an indelible mark on the television industry and society at large.
Upon receiving news of the award, Sarah Kate Ellis expressed her gratitude and reflected on the significance of this recognition. She acknowledged the historic and impactful work of GLAAD’s founders, board members, and staff over the past four decades, as well as the LGBTQ executives, creators, and talent who are telling authentic LGBTQ stories on television. Ellis reiterated the pivotal role of television in shaping culture and promoting empathy and acceptance, stating, “Television has the unique power to tell human stories that grow empathy and acceptance. This honor is just the latest example of how the Television Academy plays a pivotal role in ensuring accurate and diverse storytelling, which educates, entertains and enlightens.”
Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, author of The Celluloid Closet, and other LGBTQ advocates, GLAAD has been at the forefront of promoting accurate and authentic representation of the LGBTQ community across various media platforms. The organization collaborates with leaders in TV, film, gaming, news, politics, and more to ensure that LGBTQ individuals are portrayed in a respectful and truthful manner.
In conclusion, the TV Academy’s recognition of GLAAD with the Governors Award acknowledges the organization’s significant and enduring impact on the representation of the LGBTQ community in the media. This honor reflects GLAAD’s ongoing commitment to advocating for LGBTQ equality and promoting understanding and acceptance through accurate and diverse storytelling. As GLAAD continues its important work, this prestigious award serves as a testament to the organization’s historic and impactful contributions to the television industry and society as a whole.
