AP Photo/Chris WeeksKathy Griffin sure knows how to yuk it up with her gays.
The redheaded funnylady picked up the Outstanding Reality Program award for her My Life on the D-List last night during the GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
“I got the Michael Kors dress, the H. Stern jewelry and [stylist] Robert Verdi put me together,” she said. “I didn’t let a straight person near me tonight.”
While there were plenty of yuks throughout the evening, there were just as many serious notes.
T.R. Knight spoke of the recent murders of teens Lawrence King and Simmie Williams Jr., who were killed earlier this year allegedly because they were gay. The openly gay Grey’s Anatomy star also blasted republican Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern, who has come under fire since it was revealed that in a recent speech she compared gays to terrorists and said she believed the “homosexual agenda is destroying this nation.”
“I am realizing more and more how privileged I am to be able to use my voice to support an organization like GLAAD,” said Knight (above, with boyfriend Mark Cornelsen). “I will continue to do so until the Sally Kerns are taught the real teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Cindy Crawford accepted the Pioneer Award on behalf of the late photographer Herb Ritts. Crawford recalled being shot for Ritts for a 1993 Vanity Fair cover in which she appears in a bathing suit and high heels and pretends to shave out lesbian singer k.d. lang.
“I remember k.d. blushing as I climbed on top of her,” Crawford said. (A rare print of one of the shots from that now legendary shoot went for $22,000 at the live auction following the awards.)
Janet Jackson, who was presented the Vanguard Award by Ellen DeGeneres, kept her comments short and sweet. “I would like to say to everyone in this room that I hope I could always walk worthy of this award,” she said.
DeGeneres joked, “Two people who have won [the Vanguard Award] before were Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor. Both have had their picture taken with Michael Jackson. A coincidence? I don’t know.”
In a bizarre moment of the night, Ugly Betty’s Michael Urie tried to get a hunky crew member of the ABC hit to show off his buff bod. After executive producer Silvio Horta gave a heartfelt acceptance speech when Betty picked up Outstanding Comedy Series, Urie pulled on-set dresser Giovanni Aurilia to the front of the stage. “He’s really strong,” Urie cooed. “Open your jacket. Pick up Becki [Newton]—so strong!”
Other boldfaced names at the 19th annual fete include Sally Field, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Sharon Stone, Billy Baldwin, Candis Cayne, Zoe Saldana, Portia de Rossi, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Beals and Wilson Cruz.
The night also featured performances by singers Joss Stone and Guy B.
The complete list of winners:
- Vanguard Award: Janet Jackson
- Stephen F. Kolzak Award: Rufus Wainwright
- Pioneer Award: Herb Ritts
- Outstanding Drama Series: Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Ugly Betty (ABC)
- Outstanding Reality Program: Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List(Bravo)