The Paley Center's annual Los Angeles Benefit Gala celebrated television's impact on LGBT Equality Wednesday at the Skirball Cultural Center. The fundraising event recognized the trailblazing work by networks, studios, producers, series, and other creative talents across the media landscape that have made a noticeable impact on our culture.
Among notable attendees were Portia de Rossi and mother-in-law Betty DeGeneres, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Carter Covington, Norman Lear, Eric Stonestreet, and Jason Collins.
While we have come a long way in dispelling negative stereotypes about the LGBT community, the struggle has not been forgotten by those who grew up in a generation where coming out of the closet was a scary concept.
Carter Covington, Executive Producer of MTV's “Faking It” told The Jewish Journal that television had a huge influence on his outlook of what it meant to come out when he was growing up. For Covington, who came out in 1997, it took a while to accept that he could have the life he wanted to live and be “out.”
“When I was coming out I was watching Melrose Place which had a character who was also gay,” said Covington. “I didn't know any gay people who were out when I was in the closet so TV was the only reference I had of what my options would be, and it was exciting to see someone gay on TV, but scary to see that most of what was shown was a struggle.”
“Now gay characters on TV are not forced to explain why it's okay that they're gay and struggle with that. It's just accepted that they can live happy lives. That's a huge message to young people who are questioning their sexuality.”
Michael J. Willet, who plays Shane on “Faking It” told The Jewish Journal that his new film, GBF, explores a new concept where the new kid becomes popular because he's gay.
Television, along with other mediums, is gradually paving the way for LGBT equality by showcasing increasingly positive representations of people in the the LGBT community.
To celebrate six decades of LGBT presence on television, The Paley Center is also launching an expanded LGBT media collection, and chronicling the history of LGBT images in the medium.
The Paley Center plays a significant role in preserving, exploring, discussing, and interpreting key issues as they appear in media. The LGBT Collection is one of many special collections that comprise more than 160,000 programs in the archives.
Honey Maid served as the Presenting Sponsor for the event. Ellen DeGeneres, Hearst Corporation, ESPN, and Viacom & Paramount Pictures were Co-Chairs. Gala Committee Members included 21st Century FOX, A+E Networks, Accenture, AMC Networks, CBS/Showtime Networks, Creative Artists Agency, Disney/ABC Television Group, HBO, Interpublic Group, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lionsgate, Lyn & Norman Lear, NHL Foundation, Neal Baer, M.D., Shine America, The David Geffen Foundation, Tie The Knot, United Talent Agency, William Morris Endeavor, and World of Wonder Productions. Acclaimed LGBT media advocacy organization, GLAAD, also supported the event.
