Taylor Swift And Janet Mock Will Be Honored With Prestigious Awards During GLAAD 2020
By now everyone knows mega superstar Taylor Swift is a ride or die for the LGBTQ community. While it doesn’t take much research to find out, her latest summer song You Need To Calm Down featured an endless amount of LGBTQ people, including Todrick Hall and many of the RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni. While some people look to be angry at her (or anyone/thing) for stealing “queerness”, the rest of the world vibed with her and appreciated a music video and song solely directed towards us – kind of like how Lady Gaga blew our minds with Born This Way. Swift has been a loyal ally to the LGBTQ community since as long as I can remember and now, she’s going to have her allegiance honored at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
According to People Magazine, Swift will be receiving the coveted Vanguard Award. If you’re curious, the Vanguard Award is presented to allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people. Icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and Beyonce have received the honor in the past. Yeah… that’s definitely a hall anyone would want to be in! GLAAD President, Sarah Kate Ellis, told of Swift: “In a time of political and cultural division, Taylor creates music that unites and calls on her massive fan following to speak up and call for change.”
On the flip side, writer and transgender advocate, Janet Mock, who very likely is the reason behind the outstanding success of Ryan Murphy’s ballroom scene stealing series, Pose, will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. Before her, legends like Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, and Jim Parsons have been honored. Ellis told of Mock: “She tells stories that need to be told, including those of transgender people and people of color, in revolutionary and eye-opening ways that inspire and enrich.”
Well deserved to both of the women who have without questions been trailblazers throughout their careers. After getting snubbed on stage by Kanye West, Swift has done the unthinkable to be an icon before the age of thirty. Mock has demolished barriers and is one of the most recognizable transgender women in media – who was also one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People. These ladies aren’t going anywhere but up.
The GLAAD Media Awards will be in both New York and Los Angeles in March and April 2020, respectively. You can purchase tickets to this extraordinary LGBTQ event here.
Writer’s Note: This is the opinion of one Instinct Magazine contributor and does not reflect the views of Instinct Magazine itself or fellow contributors.
H/T: The Atlantic
H/T: People Magazine
