Arts & Entertainment
Dan Levy to receive HRC Visibility Award
Dan Levy, co-creator of the LGBTQ fan favorite TV show “Schitt’s Creek,” is being honored by the Human Rights Campaign with their annual Visibility Award.
The nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization announced Monday that the Emmy-nominated showrunner, writer, actor, director and producer will be presented the honor at the 2020 HRC Los Angeles Dinner, which is set to take place on Saturday, March 28 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
In a statement, HRC President Alphonso David said, “Through his advocacy, his creative leadership, and his hilarious, authentic portrayal as David Rose on ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ Dan Levy is moving LGBTQ visibility forward by inspiring us to embrace all of who we are. By creating and inhabiting the world of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ as a community where people are welcomed no matter who they are or whom they love, Levy is helping take all of us closer to that reality.”
“I have been a longtime admirer and supporter of the HRC,” said Levy. “To be recognized by this organization means the world to me and I am incredibly touched by the honor.”
“Schitt’s Creek,” the groundbreaking sitcom created by Levy with his father, veteran comedian and SCTV alum Eugene Levy, debuted in January 2015 on the Canadian network before making its US premiere on Pop TV a month later. In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, the younger Levy stars as the hilarious David Rose, one of the first openly pansexual characters depicted on television, opposite his real-life father and fellow comedy icon Catherine O’Hara as his onscreen parents, and Annie Murphy as sibling Alexis. In its third season, the show introduced the character of Patrick, portrayed by Noah Reid, who became a love interest for David; their relationship has continued as part of the series’ ongoing story arc, earning praise and accolades for its positive representation of a same-sex relationship.
In its fifth season, “Schitt’s Creek” garnered four Emmy nominations, a PGA Award nomination, a GLAAD Media nomination for Best Comedy Series, two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, and five Critics’ Choice Award nominations, including one for Levy as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. It is currently airing its sixth and final season.
In 2019, Levy was featured on OUT Magazine’s “Out 100” list, honoring the year’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ people, as well as on Queerty’s “Pride50” list.
The announcement of Levy as recipient of the Visibility Award comes after last week’s revelation by HRC that the organization would honor award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, performer, actor and activist Janelle Monáe with the HRC Equality Award.
The 2020 HRC Los Angeles Dinner will be the first since HRC opened its Los Angeles office. The event brings together HRC’s most active members and supporters in the greater Los Angeles area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality. For tickets and further information, visit the HRC website.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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