March 31, 2023
Jennifer Coolidge Shouts Out to Big Gay Following at GLAAD Awards
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
"The White Lotus" star Jennifer Coolidge gave a shout out to her gay fans at the GLAAD Media Awards on March 30, declaring her respect and saying, "I love you and I thank you for always being there for me," People Magazine reported.
"The Emmy-winning star, 61, got a standing ovation as she stepped on stage to open this year's show," People Mag recounted. "And she was quick to remind the audience of the last time they saw her in such fabulous company."
"Here I am again, surrounded by gays," Coolidge joked – quoting her own character, Tanya, from Season 2 of hit HBO series. "Story of my life."
All joking aside, the "American Pie" icon went on to note, "We're here to honor media that helps the world understand and respect the LGBTQ+ community," said Coolidge. "You know, I have so much respect for the LGBTQ community and I just want you all to know that I love you and I thank you for always being there for me."
"We all have a right to be who we are and to love the people that we love and tell our stories and celebrate that in every way that we can," she said.
Coolidge took an award of her own during the proceedings: The Social Impact award.
Even better, "The honor was presented by Jane Lynch, Coolidge's longtime friend and collaborator," People Mag said, recalling that "the two famously played a lesbian couple in Christopher Guest's 2000 mocumentary 'Best in Show.'"
After presenting the award to Coolidge with the words "I love you, sweetie," Lynch declared that Coolidge "was pro-gay before it was cool to be pro-gay."
"She is one of us," Lynch continued. "I have always said that the world has to catch up to Jennifer Coolidge. And the world has caught up to Jennifer Coolidge!"
Coolidge put her money where her sentiments were. People Mag reported that "Later in the night, she had the highest bid in the event's auction, shelling out $39,000 a luxury trip for two to Paris."
The magazine also relayed that the occasion "saw accolades go to Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, Jeremy Pope, and Guillermo de la Cruz (among others)."
"Billy Eichner's 'Bros,' the Amazon series 'A League of Their Own,' Disney+'s 'Dancing with the Stars' and Fox's '9-1-1: Lone Star' were a few of the night's big winners too."
Catch the moments for yourself on April 12, when the awards show streams on Hulu.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
