*Thanks to our FH Hispania and FH Outfront colleague Ivette Lopez for the following contribution. For more on FHOutfront, visit their blog: www.fhoutfront.com**
Last week, premios GLAAD recognized some of the leading Spanish language media individuals, programs and celebrities who portray the LGBT community in a positive light for its Latino audiences. From telenovelas to reggeaton, the star-studded event is upholding a very important movement within the U.S. Hispanic community.
Puerto Rican Ivy Queen received a special award for being the first reggaeton singer to openly support the gay and lesbian community. Also recognized, and also from Puerto Rico, is Noah’s Ark’s Wilson Cruz who received the Visibilidad Award (visibility) for his work. RBD, who I have blogged about before, were sprinkled throughout awards received such as the coming out press release episode in Azteca America’s television network’s celebrity gossip show, “Ventaneando America,” in People en Español’s article on the band which touched on the gay member and the band’s support and for their new album “Empezar desde cero,” which loosely translates into “Starting from scratch.” As a side note, I did have the opportunity to watch them perform from, 5th row in Dallas (thanks to my better half) and yes, the gay following is muy fierce, and deservedly so.
Awards were also presented for shows and personalities that reach a different Hispanic audience (although reggaeton and RBD can be enjoyed by all Latinos, they primarily reach a younger audience) such as moms and dads. Telenovela series “Lo Que Callamos Las Mujeres” (Azteca America) loosely translated to “What We Women Keep Quiet” received an award for its episode “El Amor de Mi Hijo,” (My Son’s Love”), a story about a gay male, son of a very macho man, and his struggle to come out of the closet.
Other award-winning entities include Dallas’ Al Día, leading Spanish daily and Chicago’s Homofrecuencia Latino LGBT radio.
What truly shows progress in these awards are the regional media and targeted programming that is including LGBTs just as we should be – as contributing members of our communities, with personal stories and milestones. I look forward to what is to come from our Hispanic media – writers and hosts alike – and celebrities’ collaborations with GLAAD and our community.
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