Watch Lena Waithe and Britney Spears’ inspiring speeches from the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards
At the 29th GLAAD Media Awards, Lena Waithe and Britney Spears delivered touching speeches that made the night all the more memorable.
The GLAAD Media Awards offer us a night to celebrate those in media who positively represent the LGBTQ community. Winners from Thursday night’s ceremony in Los Angeles include NBC’s This Is Us for Outstanding Drama and Master of None‘s “Thanksgiving” episode winning for Outstanding Individual Episode.
Along with the wins themselves, it was the speeches from some of our favorite celebs that made the ceremony all the more enjoyable and inspiring. Master of None‘s Lena Waithe encouraged all of us to truly support each other if we want to move forward.
The Emmy-award winning actress won a GLAAD award for her role on Master of None, specifically the unforgettable “Thanksgiving” episode. The holiday-themed episode dives deep into Waithe’s character Denise and her coming out to her family. Instead of one specific Thanksgiving, the episode follows Denise from childhood, when she’s not quite sure of herself, to her awkward teen years to eventually bringing home girlfriends to dinner. The episode was a very necessary exploration of how coming out isn’t necessarily a linear process. Waithe’s character navigates the unclear process of not just coming out but what comes next, holiday after holiday.
Halle Berry presented the award to Waithe, a memorable moment on its own. Waithe told the New York Times last September that to see Halle Berry win an Oscar in 2002 was beyond inspiring. Waithe touched on that during her speech on Thursday night.
“I saw her Oscar speech and knew I could do anything, so I’m always grateful to you,” Waithe told Berry.
She continued with these motivational words:
"We have to support each other, we have to talk to each other, we have to educate each other about our own individual journeys because at the end of the day, we’re all we got. So let’s hold onto that and let’s hold onto each other. We work really hard to tell our stories and let’s continue to tell our stories because the more visible we are, the less they can act like we’re invisible."
Another major speech from the awards show was from iconic pop star Britney Spears. She was honored with the Vanguard Award, presented to her by Ricky Martin. Spears graced the stage in a sparkly mini dress, her recognizably high voice thanking the crowd.
Spears started her speech with how she feels today’s society emphasizes being normal over being different. If there’s one thing Spears can speak to, it’s overcoming what society thinks of someone.
"But to be accepted unconditionally and to be able to express yourself as an individual through art is such a blessing. Events like this, the one we are attending here tonight, show the world that we are not alone. We can all join hands together here and know that we are all beautiful, and we can lift each other up and show our gifts without hesitation."
Spears, 36, added that becoming a mother plus having such a dedicated, positive fan base has shown her the power of love.
Related Story: 2018 GLAAD Media Awards: Complete list of winners
Waithe and Spears’ speeches easily add to GLAAD’s overall mission, which is to tackle “tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.”