Culture

GLAAD announces that Drew Barrymore will present 24th annual Media Awards

Apr 13 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

GLAAD the LGBT media advocacy organisation has announced that Hollywood actor Drew Barrymore will present its 24th annual Media Awards in Los Angeles next weekend.

Barrymore is to present the awards on 20 April 2013 at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles, which will feature a performance from Grammy-Award winning artist Kelly Rowland.

GLAAD previously announced that former president Bill Clinton is to receive GLAAD’s Advocate for Change Award, the first award to be given in that category.

Other presenters and attendees already announced include Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, Tobey Maguire, Matt Bomer, Elle Fanning, Betty White, Chris Evans, Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson.

The awards will also feature a star-studded and extensive list of special guests, and more than 100 corporate partners are showing their support

The GLAAD Media Awards are presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo and the Los Angeles event will be presented by Delta Air Lines.

Barrymore is an advocate of LGBT rights, has attended several rallies, and spoken out in favour of equality. She received the Vanguard award at the 21st GLAAD awards in 2010.

During the last US Presidential election, Ms Barrymore vocalised her support for now President Barack Obama. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Drew Barrymore said that Obama’s “sensitivity” on the issue had won her over.

“When I heard him speak about a gay person never having to sit outside the hospital room with their loved one sick inside, I burst into tears because so many people I care about are homosexual and it was profound to have someone be sensitive to that,” she said.

She recently bought a club in West Hollywood which features go-go dancers, and is a gay hot spot.

Singer Adam Lambert has been announced as the recipient of the Davidson/Valentini Awards at the GLAAD Media Awards on 11 May at the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco.

Madonna took to the stage at the first leg of the awards recently, dressed as a boy scout, as she gave a passionate speech about LGBT rights, before presenting Cooper with the award.

Texas Governor Rick Perry took umbrage at Madonna’s appearing, saying that she had taken a “gratuitous shot” at the BSA, when she said that it should lift its ban on gay volunteers, members and staff.