Kelly Ripa of Live! With Kelly and Michael fame received the Excellence in Media Award from GLAAD at the GLAAD Media Awards, held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on Saturday. The awards honor those who further GLAAD’s mission of ensuring that stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are heard–and heard fairly–through all of the media outlets.
Anderson Cooper presented the Excellence in Media Award to his good friend, Kelly Ripa.
It was through her work on Live! With Kelly and Michael that Kelly Ripa was recognized. Her interviews and discussions with and about LGBT guests and supporters is deemed worthy of much recognition by GLAAD.
Two other notable journalists were honored at the GLAAD Media Awards as well. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was honored as the best talk show episode for a segment on Ugandan transgender activist Pepe Julian Onziema.
.@KellyRipa brings the house down at the #glaadawards https://t.co/xT0lJWr4T1 #LGBT
— GLAAD (@glaad) May 10, 2015
TV journalist and anchor Thomas Roberts received the Vito Russo Award, which is named for GLAAD’s co-founder. It is presented to an out LGBT media figure who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
There is no doubt that Kelly Ripa, John Oliver, and Thomas Roberts realize the important roles they have played in the media. Not only have they presented viewers with sound information, they have educated many who–without the help of the media–might have continued to harbor poor or misinformed thoughts.
Kudos to Kelly Ripa and the rest of those honored at Saturday’s GLAAD Media Awards. May they continue to educate, entertain, and instill hope in the lives of many.