The Award Celebrates Decades of GLAAD’s Impactful Work
On November 14, 2023, the Television Academy announced that the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization would be awarded the Governor’s Award at the Primetime Emmys ceremony.
Frank Scherma, Chair of the Television Academy, said in a press release, “Television shapes our society and influences dialogue that increases understanding and acceptance, making GLAAD’s work so important to the LGBTQ community to legislative bodies and to the public,” said Frank Scherma, Chair of the Television Academy. “Through its education and advocacy programs, it has had a culture-changing impact.”
Governors Award Selection Committee Chair Kim Taylor-Coleman stated, “GLAAD’s diligence and influence are especially critical in today’s world as we’re seeing a flood of anti-LGBTQ legislation being proposed across the country. We are honored to recognize GLAAD’s commitment to equality for all.”
GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, accepted the award and said, in a press release prior to the ceremony, “This tremendous honor from the Television Academy is a testament to 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. At a time when our world seems more divided, and media plays an outsized role in shaping culture, 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.”
GLAAD received the Governor’s Award at the Primetime Emmys ceremony on January 15, and a post on their social media said, “The Board of Governors of the Television Academy may, when warranted, recognize an individual, company, or organization that has made a profound, transformational, and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television by presenting them with the Governors Award. Thank you to our founders and all the LGBTQ and ally creatives, advocates, and talent who have contributed to our mission.”
