The 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards held in New York became a powerful platform of solidarity for the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike on Saturday. Prominent figures such as Jon Stewart, Joel Kim Booster (writer-star of Fire Island), GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre all shared messages of support throughout the event.
Jon Stewart, who won the award for best variety or talk show episode for Apple TV+’s “The Problem With Jon Stewart,” was among the first winners to express their support. Although he did not personally attend the show to accept his award, Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s director of transgender representation, took the stage to accept the award on Stewart’s behalf. The absence of Stewart during the event did not diminish the impact of his statement.
The GLAAD Media Awards served as a platform for industry professionals and advocates to stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America strike. It highlighted the importance of supporting fair labor practices and advocating for the rights of writers in the entertainment industry. The event underscored the collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.
Schmider acknowledged that Jon, being a member of the WGA, would have been present if it weren’t for his commitment to supporting the strike. Schmider emphasized GLAAD’s unwavering support for Jon and all the writers of the WGA. The issues of fair pay, fair working conditions, and LGBTQ+ representation in writers’ rooms were highlighted as urgent and crucial matters within the industry.
The powerful statement received resounding applause from the audience, echoing the numerous displays of solidarity throughout the nearly three-hour-long event held at the Hilton Midtown. Before Jon’s statement, the event’s host, Harvey Guillén, a star of “What We Do in the Shadows,” clarified on behalf of GLAAD that the event was not organized by the WGA, underscoring the distinction.
The resounding support for the WGA strike and the commitment to addressing vital industry concerns were evident throughout the evening, with attendees expressing their solidarity and understanding of the need for fair treatment, representation, and working conditions in the entertainment industry.
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