The GLAAD Excellence in Media Award is a special GLAAD Media Award presented annually by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation at the GLAAD Media Awards ceremony held in New York City. It is presented to public figures in media and entertainment who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. In 2023, it was named in honor of Barbara Gittings.
List of recipients 1996 – Barbara Walters 1998 – Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein 2001 – Vanessa Redgrave 2002 – Glenn Close 2003 – Diane Sawyer 2004 – Julianne Moore 2005 – Billy Crystal 2006 – Amanda McKeon 2007 – Patti LaBelle 2008 – Judy Shepard 2009 – Tyra Banks 2010 – Joy Behar 2011 – Russell Simmons 2015 – Kelly Ripa 2016 – Robert De Niro 2017 – Debra Messing 2018 – Ava DuVernay 2022 – Judith Light 2023 – Maren Morris, Los Angeles Blade and The Washington Blade 2024 – Jennifer Hudson 2025 – Q.Digital References
External links Official GLAAD Media Awards website