Culture

GLAAD Media Awards to honour Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera and Jeremy Pope

By Sam Damshenas

8th February 2023

Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera and Jeremy Pope will be awarded for their LGBTQ+ activism at the upcoming 34th GLAAD Media Awards.

According to Deadline, the ceremony will honour Bad Bunny with the Vanguard Award for having made a “significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues”.

Bad Bunny, who was the most streamed artist of 2022 on Spotify, has been outspoken about LGBTQ+ rights on various occasions throughout his career.

From shutting down homophobes on Twitter to donning full drag in music videos and raising awareness of violence against the trans community, Bad Bunny has consistently used his platform to show up for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Bad Bunny uses his role as one of the world’s most popular music artists to boldly shine a light on LGBTQ people and issues, including transgender equality and ending violence against trans women of color,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

“By consistently advocating for our community, elevating our stories and demanding action from anti-LGBTQ leaders, Bad Bunny redefines the positive influence Latin music artists can have within the LGBTQ community, and has set an example for all artists.”

Aguilera, one of pop music’s most vocal allies, will receive the Advocate for Change Award for having “changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.”

Ellis described the Grammy winner as a “beloved icon who has inspired and shared messages of love for the LGBTQ community since the start of her music career.

“From using her voice to speak out against anti-LGBTQ legislation to creating songs and music videos that showcase LGBTQ love, Christina loudly and proudly raises the bar for what it means to be a LGBTQ ally today.”

And for having made “a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues,” Pope will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.

The Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award nominee recently made his mainstream film breakthrough with The Inspection, in which he stars as Ellis French, a soldier who faces homophobia at a Marines boot camp.

Based on the real-life experiences of director Elegance Bratton, the film was met with critical acclaim with Pope receiving his first-ever Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama).

“Jeremy Pope is one of today’s most talented and dynamic actors who has given life and excitement to  important stories that impact and honor the LGBTQ community,” Ellis continued.

“Offscreen, Pope has used his voice to have important conversations about being an out actor in Hollywood, which are key to continuing to erase stigma and bias that affect out actors today.”

The 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards takes place at the Beverly Hilton on 30 March.