Patti LaBelle Wins GLAAD Media Award

By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Tuesday, March 27 2007, 8:04AM

I've been to a lot of fundraising dinners and boring awards shows over the years, but last night's GLAAD Media Awards was truly something special. Of course, there was the usual cavalcade of celebrities. Last year it was actor Michael Douglas and "Brokeback Mountain" director Ang Lee who drew attention. This year, Whoopi Goldberg started the program and left the stage during her performance and walked over to my table to hug former NBA player John Amaechi. Goldberg was followed by dozens of other celebrities throughout the night.

But it was Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Hudson who stole the show. The "Dreamgirls" star appeared on stage at the very end of the show to present Patti LaBelle with a special achievement award. But the introduction turned into a 15-minute lovefest between Hudson, LaBelle and the audience. And for those who had any doubt about where Jennifer Hudson or Patti LaBelle stood on gay issues, they both made it very clear. They fully support the rights of gays and lesbians, including the right to marry.

What started out as a simple introduction of LaBelle turned into a major production as Oscar-winner Hudson was treated to a standing ovation by the crowd, which included Patti LaBelle herself. Before Hudson could finish her introduction, LaBelle was on her feet again, standing at a front row table as Hudson struggled to read her script from the teleprompter at the back of the room.

Patti walked to the stage and knelt at the foot of the stage for a moment, then climbed the stage and knelt again in front of Hudson, who seemed visibly shocked by the gesture of humility from the R&B diva. "I didn't know you were this nice," LaBelle told Hudson. "I thought you were a bitch," she joked, noting that she had never met Hudson before their appearance.

LaBelle spent most of her acceptance speech praising Hudson and comparing Hudson to herself. After repeated calls from the audience for the two women to sing, Patti broke out in an a cappella version of "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," and Hudson joined in.

Other Awards

Also last night, Hillary Duff, Phil Donahue, Julianne Moore, Cynthia Nixon and dozens of others received or presented awards. Gucci designer Tom Ford and comedian Kate Clinton received special achievement awards. And Rosie O'Donnell accepted an award for a film about her gay family cruise.

"Project Runway" won an award for outstanding reality TV show. HBO's "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise," won the documentary award. "Details" won for magazine coverage. The soap opera "All My Children" took home an award. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" won an award, as did "Nightline." New York Times columnist Frank Rich won an award too.

Additional awards will be announced in ceremonies in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The awards will be aired on Logo on April 21.

Comments (6) reveal

Comments conceal

John
March 27 2007, 8:27AM

Thanks Keith for always being there and keeping us informed of these type items. I am currently reading John Amaechi's book and am so impressed with his story and his writing style ... and have read your books as well ... am so proud to have men like you two as role models for all of us!

Would ahve loved to have been there at the show ... look forward to watching it on LOGO.

Troy
March 27 2007, 9:30AM

Award shows while brothers and sisters of color get no funding for housing or step up programs, no incentives for any type of employment and no solid help from anywhere except to see the same folks patting each other on the back for not slipping into poverty where the rest of us already are; glad I missed the GLAAD fest!

Cocoa Rican[TypeKey Profile Page]
March 27 2007, 9:40AM

I'm GLAAD it turned out so well! We need these moments of levity and reassurance in our community and although we recognize the need for funding, these networking events provide opportunities for our community to showcase ourselves as important members of our the mainstream. I don't think anyone who has ever met Patti doubted her support for the gay community and Hudson is too new in the game to ever take such a negative misstep, so I trust she'll fall in line with what works. I listened to Clay's little red carpet interviews and they were HYSTERICAL... not your piece of course. Stay out there Keith...we're paying attention.

blk_phd
March 27 2007, 10:16AM

Seems as if you had a nice time Keith! I was a bit surprised to see Jennifer Hudson there, but I am glad to see that she has gotten over her issues with the gay community. I tell you, have that "church" background can be a little overbearing at times! I listened to Clay's interviews, and I am jealous b/c he got up close and personal with John Amaechi!!! Tell me where do I need to be when these men are coming out of the closet!! I guess i'll be the first gay groupie...LOL...I think not!!! Keep having fun....and I pray that you and Nathan's relationship continues to be blessed!

Luther
March 27 2007, 10:29AM

That comes as no surprise, she loves those people, and I have no respect for her on any level since she is said to be a Shirley Q Liquor fan, and those in that crowd love and adore that racist queen. The only way black gays can get any sort of "love" from those groups is to be singing and dancing for them it seems, since that's the only way we are visiable.

Sorry to come off as negative, but, Glaad and its awards are nothing but a joke for them to get more money for whatever it is they do and embracing black glbt issues is not on the front burner from what I've seen.

Blue
March 27 2007, 11:24AM

Very cool ... I never questioned Patti or Jennifer on those issues. Kudos to all involved.


Post a comment