On Thursday night the GLAAD awards took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, celebrating the best of LGBTQ culture and its supporters across film, television and music.
Many stars turned up to congratulate winners who scooped up awards that night, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, the Fab 5 (minus Karamo Brown), Allison Janney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Duhamel, Jameela Jamil, Olivia Munn and more.
Beyonce and Jay-Z were honoured with a Vanguard Award, which is “presented to allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people”. Jay-Z, who featured his mother Gloria Carter’s coming out journey in his song Smile and accepted a GLAAD Special Recognition award on her behalf last year, said, “I get to follow in her footsteps of spreading love and acceptance.”
Beyonce fought back tears as she dedicated the award to her late uncle Johnny, who lived with HIV.
She called him “the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever known and ever knew” and said he helped raise her and her sister Solange.
She continued, “He lived his truth, he was brave and unapologetic in a time when this country wasn’t as accepting. And witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived [through]. I’m hopeful that his struggle served to open pathways to other young people to live more freely.”
Beyonce also addressed her husband, saying, “I’m so proud of you for making incredible strides towards changing stigmas in the hip hop community. It’s a privilege to watch you take those steps and stand next to you.”
Other winners also included Love, Simon which won for Outstanding Film - Wide Release and Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye also scooped up an award for Outstanding Reality Program.
While Karamo Brown couldn’t be there, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk and Antoni Porowski took to the stage - not just to collect their prize, but also to wish Jonathan Van Ness a happy birthday.
Fashion expert Tan France was naturally one of the best dressed men of the night, wearing a striking sheer kimono-style coat over a crisp white shirt and black slacks.
Birthday boy Jonathan Van Ness was also one of the many stars who challenged notions of gender in fashion, choosing to step out in a pewter gown and heels.
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shangela took a similar approach, looking the very picture of a Southern Belle as she hit the red carpet in a floral bustier gown. Shangela also sang on the night alongside rising pop star Lizzo in a high energy performance.
In a delightfully unexpected twist, Gwyneth Paltrow also eschewed her usual style and stepped out in a dramatic feathered top.
Singer Lizzo, who also performed, stepped out in an on-trend neon collared gown.
TV personality EJ Johnson also turned heads in a structured cut out dress with a revealing silk skirt.
Olivia Munn was also another sartorial highlight of the evening, choosing a sheer gown with peacock details for the awards.
The Good Place’s Jameela Jamil brought one of SS19’s biggest beauty trends to the red carpet: vibrant eyeshadow.
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