Out comedian and TV personality Fortune Feimster hosted the 25th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria New York. "I cannot tell you how excited I am to be hosting the GLAAD Media Awards, this is awesome," Feimster told the crowd. "Normally when you see an adorable lesbian hosting an awards show it's Ellen DeGeneres."
"I am honored to be a part of this particular event because like they said this is the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards which is so cool. We have so much to celebrate tonight. It's been an amazing year for the LGBT community and for the LGBT media."
Her humor and charms captured the audience as Feimster discussed LGBT characters and plots in the media. "The Walking Dead finally got in on the LGBT action, I mean it took them long enough to figure out that if anyone is gonna survive the Zombie apocalypse is a lesbian. I don’t know if you have ever been camping with one but they can survive 5 weeks in the wilderness with a match, a can of beans, and a dream-catcher."
George Takei received the Vito Russo Award. Global superstar Kylie Minogue and Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves performed for the capacity crowd. Comedian Fortune Feimster hosted the event. Special guests included: Naomi Watts (Birdman); Emmy Rossum (Shameless); Laverne Cox, Laura Prepon, Natasha Lyonne, Samira Wiley, Dascha Polanco, Selenis Leyva, Yael Stone, Taryn Manning, Emma Myles, Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black); Robin Weigert, Stacie Passon (Concussion); Swoosie Kurtz (Mike & Molly); Lee Tergesen (The Americans); pop star Boy George; Tamron Hall (Today's Take); country singer Chely Wright; out Grammy-winning country music songwriter Shane McAnally; New Orleans bounce performer Big Freedia; out NCAA basketball player Derrick Gordon; WWE Superstar Darren Young; Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup; MMA fighter Jessica Aguilar; transgender model Geena Rocero; GLAAD National Spokespersons Wilson Cruz and Omar Sharif, Jr., and GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis.
Additional awards were presented in Los Angeles on April 12 at the Beverly Hiltons Hotel, see the list of winners here.
The 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented nationally by Ketel One Vodka, Wells Fargo, and Hilton Worldwide. The New York City event is presented locally by Delta Airlines and Bud Light.