Arts & Entertainment
Samira Wiley, Gloria Carter, ‘CMBYN,’ honored at GLAAD Media Awards
Halsey, Ava DuVernay also received recognition

Samira Wiley accepting the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards (Screenshot via YouTube)
The 29th annual GLAAD Media Awards continued in New York City on Saturday hosted by Ross Matthews.
D.C. native Samira Wiley was presented the Vito Russo Award by her “The Handmaid’s Tale” co-star Alexis Bledel. Wiley recounted when she first came out to her parents in 2008 while accepting the speech.
“I heard the words, ‘I like girls’ come out of my mouth,” Wiley says. “When I was finished I looked up and I said, ‘OK, I’m done.’ I waited, and my father looked at me and said, ‘Cool.’”
Jay-Z was honored with the Special Recognition Award for the track “Smile,” included on his latest album “4:44,” which features his mother Gloria Carter coming out. Carter accepted the award on her son’s behalf.
“‘Smile’ became a reality, because I shared with my son who I am. Not that people didn’t know. It was someone that they didn’t talk about but they loved me anyway.” Carter explained in her speech. “But to me, this was the first time that I spoke to anyone about who I really am.”
“Call Me By Your Name” won Outstanding Film which was accepted by screenwriter James Ivory and producer Peter Spears. Outstanding Music Artist was awarded to Halsey for her album, “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.”
Ava DuVernay was also presented the Excellence in Media Award by Sen. Cory Booker.
“We were never meant to survive,” DuVernay says in her speech.“I thank my LGBTQ comrades for your fight, for your resilience, for your daring, for your dignity, for your declaration of self, and I dedicate this award tonight to those of every pronoun.”
Read the complete list of winners below.
Outstanding Documentary: “Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric” (National Geographic)
Outstanding Music Artist: Halsey, “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom”
Outstanding Talk Show Episode: “Australian Marriage Equality,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)
Outstanding TV Journalism — Newsmagazine: “The Pulse of Orlando: Terror at the Nightclub,” “Anderson Cooper 360” (CNN)
Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Murders Raise Alarm for Transgender Community,” “NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt” (NBC)
Outstanding Newspaper Article: “The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV” by Gracie Bonds Staples (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Outstanding Magazine Article: “Forbidden Lives: The Gay Men Who Fled Chechnya’s Purge” by Masha Gessen (The New Yorker)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Billboard
Outstanding Digital Journalism — Multimedia: This Is How We Win’: Inside Danica Roem’s Historic Victory,” by Diana Tourjée (Broadly.Vice.com)
Outstanding TV Journalism — Newsmagazine (Spanish Language): “Pulse, Huellas de la Masacre,” “Docufilms” (CNN en Español)
Outstanding TV Journalism Segment (Spanish Language): “Comunidad LGBTQ Vulnerable Bajo Nuevo Gobierno,” “Perspectiva Nacional” (Entravision)
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
-
Virginia4 days agoTwo gay candidates running in ‘firehouse’ Va. House of Delegates primary in Alexandria
-
Photos4 days agoPHOTOS: Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026
-
Congress4 days agoMcBride, other US lawmakers travel to Denmark
-
The White House4 days agoA full year of Trump and LGBTQ rights: all that’s been lost
