Robert De Niro, Mariah Carey Honored At 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards In New York

GLAAD, the world's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, honored Robert De Niro, Mariah Carey, and the best in film, television, and journalism at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday. Jennifer Lawrence, Aziz Ansari, Connie Britton, Diane Sawyer, Caitlyn Jenner, Tamron Hall, Noah Galvin, Andrew Rannells, Andreja Peji?, and Jason Biggs were among the special guests. Recording artists Alex Newell and Bebe Rexha, as well as the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fun Home performed at the event hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Laverne Cox. The 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo.

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community and issues that build support for acceptance.

At the ceremony, Academy Award-winning actress and surprise guest Jennifer Lawrence presented Robert De Niro with GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, which is presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

In his acceptance speech, De Niro celebrated the Supreme Court's landmark decision for marriage equality, while cautioning to "also remember oppressive laws like the ones in North Carolina that let us know the struggle continues and challenges us to be vigilant and aggressive in protecting all our rights." De Niro continued, "Thank you for this honor, I'm proud to stand with you, I'm GLAAD."

Also at the event, Lee Daniels presented Mariah Carey with the Ally Award, which is presented to a media figure who has consistently used their platform to support and advance LGBT equality and acceptance.

Accepting the award, Carey shared a special message for the LGBT community, saying, "Thank you for the unconditional love ... I thank you, and I wish all of you love, peace, [and] harmony."

Master of None co-creator and star Aziz Ansari presented the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment to Anderson Cooper 360 for the segment "Interview with Jim Obergefell." Accepting for the show was Jim Obergefell, the U.S. Supreme Court plaintiff featured in the piece.

Nashville star Connie Britton presented the award for Outstanding TV Journalism - Newsmagazine to 20/20 for "Bruce Jenner: The Interview." Diane Sawyer, Caitlyn Jenner, and David Sloan, senior executive producer, accepted on behalf of the show.

Girls star Andrew Rannells and The Real O'Neals star Noah Galvin presented the award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage to Cosmopolitan. Laura Brounstein, special projects director, accepted on the magazine's behalf.

GLAAD previously announced that it was acknowledging two web series, Beautiful As I Want To Be (Logotv.com) and This is Me (Amazon Instant Video), with Special Recognition Awards.

Jennifer Lawrence presented the Excellence in Media Award to Robert De Niro. Lee Daniels presented the Ally Award to Mariah Carey. Laverne Cox hosted the event. Bebe Rexha performed, as did actor and singer Alex Newell, and Fun Home's Kally Duling and Emily Skeggs. Guests included: Aziz Ansari (Master of None); journalist Diane Sawyer; Connie Britton (Nashville); Andrew Rannells (Girls); Noah Galvin (The Real O'Neals); Tamron Hall (Today); Caitlyn Jenner; out transgender supermodel Andreja Peji?; Diane Kruger (Fathers and Daughters); Lea DeLaria, Jackie Cruz, Laura Gómez, Diane Guerrero, Selenis Leyva, Alysia Reiner (Orange Is The New Black); Carrie Preston (The Good Wife); CNN contributor Margaret Hoover; The Daily Beast editor-in-chief John Avlon; supermodel Josephine Skriver; Jason Biggs, Jenny Mollen (Amateur Night); out WWE superstar Darren Young; Alexandra Turshen, Eric Schaeffer (Boy Meets Girl); journalist Teresa Rodriguez (Aquí y Ahora); producer Darren Dean, Karren Karagulian (Tangerine); Apple Music & iTunes executive Bozoma Saint John; out country music artist Billy Gilman; out transgender advocate Daniella Carter; out writer and advocate Jacob Tobia; fashion designers Prabal Gurung, Brandon Maxwell, Shane Gabier, and Chris Peters; early transgender model Tracey Norman; actor and trans advocate Nicole Maines, her brother Jonas Maines, and their father Wayne Maines; and GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

Following is a complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in New York. Additional awards were presented in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on April 2.

• Excellence in Media Award: Robert De Niro (presented by Jennifer Lawrence)
• Ally Award: Mariah Carey (presented by Lee Daniels)

· Outstanding TV Journalism - Newsmagazine: "Bruce Jenner: The Interview" 20/20 (ABC) [accepted by: Diane Sawyer, Caitlyn Jenner, and David Sloan, senior executive producer]

· Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: "Interview with Jim Obergefell" Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN) [accepted by: U.S. Supreme Court plaintiff Jim Obergefell]

· Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: Cosmopolitan [accepted by: Laura Brounstein, special projects director]

· Outstanding Film - Limited Release: Tangerine (Magnolia Pictures)

· Outstanding Individual Episode: "The Prince of Nucleotides" ROYAL PAINS (USA Network)

· Outstanding Digital Journalism - Multimedia: "Stopping HIV? The Truvada Revolution" Vice Reports (Vice.com)

· Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Cold Case: The Murders of Cosby and Jackson" by Dianna Wray (Houston Press)

· Outstanding Magazine Article: "Behind Brazil's Gay Pride Parades, a Struggle with Homophobic Violence" by Oscar Lopez (Newsweek)

· Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: "This Is What It's Like To Be An LGBT Syrian Fleeing For Your Life" by J. Lester Feder (Buzzfeed.com)

SPANISH-LANGUAGE NOMINEES

· Outstanding Daytime Program Episode: "¿El marido de mi padre o yo?" Caso Cerrado (Telemundo)

· Outstanding TV Journalism - Newsmagazine: TIE: "Amor que rompe barreras" Un Nuevo Día (Telemundo) and "En cuerpo ajeno" Aquí y Ahora (Univision)

· Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: "Víctimas de abusos" Noticiero Univision (Univision)

· Outstanding Digital Journalism - Multimedia: "Campeones de la igualdad" (Univision.com)

In January, GLAAD announced 101 nominees in 20 English-language categories and 46 Spanish-language nominees in 11 categories. Nominees for the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards can be found here: www.glaad.org/mediaawards/nominees. The Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards ceremony took place on April 2 at the Beverly Hilton. A recap of the Los Angeles event may be found at www.glaad.org/mediaawards

To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag #glaadawards.

The 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards corporate partners include Presenting partners Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo; And Official partner Bud Light. GLAAD is also grateful to: Titanium partners Comcast NBCUniversal-Telemundo and Southwest Airlines; Platinum partners Allstate Insurance Company, AT&T, CBS, Disney ABC Television Group, ESPN, Facebook, Hyundai North America, MetLife, Netflix, NBA/WNBA, PwC, Sheppard Mullin, Showtime, Time Warner, and Viacom; Gold partners Deloitte, Edelman, Nielsen, Omnicom Group, UM, Univision, Westfield, and Silver partners Carat, Citi, Coca-Cola, MLB, NFL, Skadden, Starz, TLC, U.S. Bank, and WWE. For a full list of corporate partners and information on how to become a corporate partner, purchase tickets, and place a tribute in the tribute book, please visit http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT equality. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

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