Actress and entertainment correspondent, Maria Menounos presented GLAAD's inaugural International Advocate for Change Award to Manny de Guerre, director of the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held in Los Angeles on April 12.
Menounos introduced Manny by describing the challenges that Side by Side has faced, including fines, police interference, and bomb threats. Memounos was part of a campaign to bring visibility to LGBT Russians earlier this year.
In accepting her award, Manny de Guerre spoke about the challenges faced by LGBT Russians. "We can hope that those in power relent, but recent indicators point to even more repressive measures. It pains me that young LGBT people in Russia are growing up without hope of a better life and that's why Side by Side refuses to give up. We will not be silenced," de Guerre said. "With the support of our audiences, partners in Russia, volunteers, international friends and supporters we will continue our work, bringing social change Side by Side!"
GLAAD will continue working with the Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, offering support and resources to make the event as safe, meaningful, and positive as possible.
Other special guests at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media awards included: Rita Moreno who presented the Vanguard Award to Jennifer Lopez.Ellen Page who presented the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to Laverne Cox. Norman Learreceived the Pioneer Award. Manny de Guerre, LGBT advocate from Russia, received the International Advocate for Change Award. Other guests included: Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave); Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory); Naomi Campbell (The Face); TatianaMaslany, Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black); Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey); Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart; Natasha Henstridge (The Secret Circle); James Frain (Intruders); Alex Newell(Glee); Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries); Ross Mathews (Hello Ross); Maria Menounos(Chasing Maria Menounos); Sherri Saum, Teri Polo, Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg (The Fosters); Lucas Neff (Raising Hope); Meghan McCain (Take Part Live); singer Debby Boone;Caitlin Stasey (Please Like Me); Luke Newberry (In the Flesh); author and transgender advocate Chaz Bono; Shane Bitney Crone, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (Bridegroom);Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, John "Longjones" Abdallah Wambere(Call Me Kuchu); Charlie Condou (Coronation Street); Sophie Ward (Jane Eyre); Pratibha Parmar (Nina's Heavenly Delights); Jill Soloway, Amy Landecker, Ian Harvie (Transparent);Kate Mansi, Guy Wilson (Days of Our Lives); trans advocates Calpernia Addams, Andrea James; Husbands creators Brad Bell, Jane Espenson; comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer; trans model Carmen Carrera; trans singer Our Lady J; GLAAD National Spokespersons, Wilson Cruz and Omar Sharif, Jr., and GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis. DJ Tracy Youngwas the guest DJ at the after-party.
Photos and videos are available here.
The 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented nationally by Ketel One Vodka, Wells Fargo, and Hilton Worldwide. The Los Angeles event is presented locally by Delta Air Lines and Bud Light.