NBC’s sitcom “The New Normal,” FX’s thriller “American Horror Story: Asylum” and NBC’s daytime drama “Days of Our Lives” took home top TV honors at the 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards held Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The GLAAD awards pay tribute to “inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.”
The event, hosted by actress-producer-director Drew Barrymore, boasted such Hollywood heavyweights as presenters Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron, Betty White and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Other winners included “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which was named outstanding film: wide release, and former President Bill Clinton was given the first advocate for change award.
On the arrivals line, longtime Clinton friend, Oscar-winner Mary Steenburgen, defended the former president’s controversial honor. Under Clinton’s administration came the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage, as well as the “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy.
“Actually, (“don’t ask, don’t tell”) was a sorrow for him,” Steenburgen said. “So, I think he’s spent a large part of his life making up for that. But I tell you this: He’s never not had his heart in the right place, in terms of the gay community.”
Many who walked the press gauntlet shared personal stories. Actor Justin Bartha said a brother’s coming out moved him both personally and professionally.
“It was an inspiring moment — I’m sure for him and definitely me and my whole family,” Bartha noted. “So, it was at the forefront of my mind when looking at (the role of half of a gay couple in “The New Normal”).”
“Kyle XY” actor Matt Dallas discussed his decision to come out publicly earlier this year. MSNBC news anchor Thomas Roberts talked about the recent marriage to his male partner of 12 years. Entertainment blogger Perez Hilton detailed the challenges of being the single gay parent of a newly adopted child.
And transgendered Chaz Bono expressed hopes for the gay lesbian bisexual transgender community’s future.
“I mean, I think the goal always has to be equality in all aspects under the law,” he said. “You’re never going to eradicate discrimination. We see that with other minorities. Racism is still, unfortunately, alive and well. But equal protection under the law makes a huge difference. So, I think, for me, that is the goal, that is the thing to strive for.”
Additional 2013 GLAAD Media Awards were presented in New York on March 16. The final awards will be presented in San Francisco on May 11.
Review: Drew Hancock Makes Feature Directorial Debut With “Companion”
"Iris, wake up!"
Early in "Companion," lovely Iris and her nerdy-nice boyfriend Josh are driving to a secluded lake house for a stay with friends. Iris wakes from a nap and lovingly tells Josh she was dreaming about him. They reminisce about how they first met at the supermarket. All those oranges tumbling onto the floor! Ha ha.
In 20 minutes, absolutely everything about this sweet scene will be turned on its head in a terrifying and sinister manner. You will be surprised and shocked. Unless you saw the trailer, which reveals the whole thing.
And so we begin with a dilemma, dear moviegoer. "Companion," an exceedingly clever and entertaining sci-fi-horror-thriller-comedy by Drew Hancock in his feature debut, has more twists and turns than a corkscrew. But it's utterly impossible to write about the film without revealing the first of those twists.
So if you like coming in totally cold to a movie, then we're sorry to see you go, but stop reading! Otherwise, stay with us — we promise there'll be more surprises to come.
Moving on: Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) arrive at the estate. A nervous Iris stops at the door, worried that Josh's friends won't like her. He urges her to simply brighten up and act happy.
Kat (Megan Suri), Josh's ex, greets them. She is gorgeous, and frosty to Iris. Eli (Harvey Guillén) and his handsome boyfriend Patrick (Lukas Gage) are nicer. Then there's Sergey (Rupert Friend), Kat's aloof Russian boyfriend — sugar daddy, really — and owner of the house. The password to his devices is Stalin's birthday, which tells you something.
Things get dark, quickly. The next morning, someone dies. They will not be the first — this is a horror movie. And suddenly Iris, caked in blood,... Read More