Out actors Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Scmidt) and Jonathan Groff (Looking) presented Sports Illustrated with the GLAAD Media Award in Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage at the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at New York City's Waldorf Astoria on Saturday night. Out athletes Michael Sam and Jason Collins accepted the award alongside Managing Editor Chris Stone.
In 2014, Sports Illustrated did an extended profile on the family of Max Lenox, captain of the Army basketball team, who was raised by two dads. Lenox is a senior at West Point and was put up for adoption after his birth when he was found to have been exposed to drugs in utero. His fathers, North Carolina couple Dave Lenox and Nathan Merrell, spoke about their lives with Max and the obstacles they faced including an injury which almost derailed Max's potential professional career and rejection by their families.
Basketball legend Collins came out in an article he wrote for Sports Illustrated in 2013 and made history as the first out gay active male pro athlete in the history of America's major leagues. He also revealed in the piece that he has worn uniform number 98 in memory of the year Matthew Shepard was killed. Collins was then signed to the Brooklyn Nets who he played one season with before retiring from the National Basketball League (NBA), he also announced his retirement in a column he penned for SI.
Sam made history when he came out last February and in May became the first openly gay player drafted to the National Football League (NFL) when the St. Louis Rams signed him. Sam was cut from the Rams at the end of training camp and the Dallas Cowboys then signed him to their practice squad. He was ultimately waived and currently is not signed to any NFL team. Sam was the subject of an OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network documentary, Michael Sam, and he competed in the most recent season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
Anderson Cooper presented the Excellence in Media Award to Kelly Ripa. Lynda Carter presented the Vito Russo Award to journalist Thomas Roberts. Comedian Ross Mathews hosted the event. Out country singer Ty Herndon performed with Antigone Rising's Kristen Henderson and guitarist Anita Cochran. Other guests included: Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Trace Lysette (Transparent); Rupert Friend (Homeland) and fiancé Aimee Mullins; Jonathan Groff (Looking); Laverne Cox, Dascha Polanco, Jackie Cruz (Orange Is the New Black); Janet Mock (So Popular!); Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt); Mark Consuelos (Alpha House); Rachael Harris (Suits) and her fiancé Christian Hebel; Karla Mosley, Scott T. Schofield, Crystal Chappell (The Bold and the Beautiful); out NBA player Jason Collins; out football player Michael Sam and fiancé Vito Cammisano; Craig Melvin (MSNBC Live) and wife Lindsay Czarniak (SportsCenter); Alicia Menendez (Alicia Menendez Tonight); models Andreja Pejić, Carmen Carrera, Rain Dove, Josephine Skriver, Cory Wade; Monifah Carter and her wife Terez Thorpe (R&B Divas: Atlanta); recording artist Maya Vik; Terry Artis, Jonathan Bodrick, Brandon Hood, JJ Langan, Devin Stokes, Kristen Brown (B.O.R.N. to Style); Josh Canfield, Reed Kelly (Survivor); Louise Sorel (Days of Our Lives); Sam Champion (The Weather Channel); out WWE wrestler Darren Young; designer Mitchell Gold; John Gidding, Theodore Leaf, Rob Younkers (Secret Guide to Fabulous); and GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
The Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards were held on March 21 at the Beverly Hilton. For video, photos, and more, visit: http://glaad.org/mediaawards/recap. The 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo; and Official Presenting Partners Amazon and Bud Light.
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