At Saturday's 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, the Rev. Al Sharpton presented hip-hop producer, entrepreneur and activist Russell Simmons with the Excellence in Media Award, which is awarded by GLAAD for work done to increase the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community in the media. Simmons has spoken out often on LGBT issues, urging Americans to support full equality.
"Martin Luther King said many years ago, 'You judge a man not by where he stands in the times of convenience but where he stands in the time of controversy,'" Rev. Sharpton said. "It was Russell Simmons that said to the hip-hop industry that you cannot fight for freedom without fighting for freedom for everyone. He said to the civil rights and human rights movement, to all of us, that were limited -- some homophobic -- you can't fight for human rights for some, without fighting for human rights for all."
"It's a great honor, and I'm truly appreciative of the GLAAD Media Awards including me in this special night. I'm humbled by having one of my mentors and heroes, Rev. Sharpton, giving me this award," Simmons said. "It's no secret that faith-based communities, in some cases, have been difficult, and I think that for all of us who step outside of our comfort zone and fight for the rights of others, we are blessed. And Rev. Sharpton [has] stood up in so many ways and has been very special. And to the gay and lesbian community he's a true blessing. I'm honored and appreciative, and I just want to thank everybody. Thank you."
Other major winners included '30 Rock' for Outstanding Individual Episode, Scissor Sisters, 'True Blood' for Outstanding Drama Series, 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' for Outstanding Talk Show Episode and 'Anderson Cooper 360' for Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine for its "Gay Teen Suicides" special.
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