GLAAD Media Awards in New York Canceled Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Marc Malkin
·3 min read

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The GLAAD Media Awards in New York on March 19 have been canceled.

The gala “will no longer occur next week following new guidance from the New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo around COVID-19,” the organization said in a statement.

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“Given GLAAD’s long-standing commitment to the safety of our members, sponsors, and guests, the GLAAD Media Awards will no longer take place on March 19th in New York City,” Rich Ferraro, chief communications officer and an executive producer of the GLAAD Media Awards, said in a statement. “The team at GLAAD has been in communication with the City of New York and is following the latest recommendations from Governor Cuomo. We were planning to unveil a historic get-out-the-vote campaign at the event because everything is at stake for LGBTQ Americans this election year, and are hopeful that the program and GLAAD’s ongoing work to fight against anti-LGBTQ discrimination will continue to be supported and funded. Since the event is canceled, our advocacy work will experience a loss of funding and we encourage community members and allies to consider becoming a GLAAD member to ensure this work continues.”

Ryan Murphy was going to be presented the Vito Russo Award by Sarah Paulson and Matt Bomer at the 31st annual gala, while Judith Light was set to receive the excellence in media prize. Late-night talk show host Lilly Singh was supposed to host the ceremony, which was going to include performances by Adam Lambert and Ben Platt.

Bette Midler was going to make her first appearance at the GLAAD Awards to introduce Platt. The presenters lineup included “Supergirl” star Nicole Maines, YouTube celebrity Patrick Starrr and Jesse Williams (“Grey’s Anatomy”).

Jimmy Fallon was expected to present the outstanding Broadway production trophy. Nominees in the category include “Choir Boy,” “The Inheritance,” “Jagged Little Pill,” “Slave Play” and “What the Constitution Means to Me.”

“We will be in touch with nominees shortly with plans for how award categories scheduled for the New York show will be announced, acknowledging that a GLAAD Media Award nomination or win can raise the bar for LGBTQ representation and serve as a catalyst for media executives to greenlight additional LGBTQ projects,” the organization said.

As of Wednesday, GLAAD said the Media Awards in Los Angeles will still take place on April 16, when Taylor Swift will receive the vanguard award. The Stephen F. Kolzak Award will go to Janet Mock. LGBTQ journalists Karen Ocamb and Mark Segal, as well as Netflix’s “Special,” will be honored.

The Media Awards include more than 175 nominees in 30 categories.

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