A-listers are glad to support LGBT cause

Last month, the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards took place in New York, drawing celebs including honoree Cynthia Nixon, Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, Nole Marin, Sigourney Weaver, Dustin Lance Black, ABDC’s Vogue Evolution, and more. The awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBT community. CGG got the chance to catch up with some of these LGBT supporters, and here’s what they had to say!

Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter of award-winning film Milk, on what advice he has for a new youth volunteerism movement: I think this is so important- I think that the youth movement has really shown that they can really be present, effective, and you know, really turn out a crowd when we need one, since proposition 8. And I think we haven’t really seen a youth movement like that since the ‘70s, when they showed up in an organized way, with a clear message. The one thing I would say is in the time when we don’t have a protest, at least for the LGBT community, it’s really time to organize and do outreach. So if you want to go get the seniors’ vote, I say, the next snowstorm? Put on your gay t-shirt, your big gay button, and go shovel some senior sidewalks. Start becoming a part of your community, pitching in, in that way, and you might build some bridges.”

ANTM veteran Jay Manuel’s take on doing something in the community: It’s a different time right now… I don’t think it’s an easy thing to come out and support, but it’s definitely a little more accepted to come out and be seen… the more that people go out there and aren’t afraid to be themselves, I think that’s the important thing to do.

When asked about how his success on ANTM has influenced his ability to do good: “for me, I’m literally just out there doing me, and doing my job. I never really kind of went out there and thought ‘am I good at supporting the community, trying to be a role model.’ I’m just being myself and I think that’s the important thing to do.

Earlier this week, this year’s GLAAD ceremonies wrapped up in Los Angeles, where Glee was announced as the winning comedy series, Drew Barrymore and funnywoman Wanda Sykes received honors, and Adam Lambert performed two of his songs.

What can you do to take action around supporting the LGBT cause year round? Volunteer through GLAAD or in your local community, help raise awareness, and spread the word to fight for gay rights.