Nixon tops list of gay advocates

Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon and The View’s Joy Behar have topped the honours list at the 21st Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards.

Held annually, the awards ceremony seeks to commend people working in the media spotlight, who have done their part to educate and promote acceptance of GLBT people.

Cynthia Nixon, who with her partner Christine Marinoni has done much to raise awareness for the same-sex marriage cause in the United States, received the highest honour of the night — the Vito Russo award for a GLBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights.

In her acceptance speech, Nixon thanked the trailblazers of the gay and lesbian rights movement.

“Coming out wasn’t difficult for me because of the work of many people in this room,” she said, “because of the vision, tenacity and sacrifice of people like [director and GLAAD co-founder] Vito Russo.”

Comedian and co-host of The View Joy Behar also received the Excellence in Media Awards. She took the opportunity to thank the gay community who had shown support throughout her career.

Sigourney Weaver was also noted, for her appearance in Prayers for Bobby, the 2009 telemovie which told the real-life story of Bobby Griffith, a young gay man growing up in a religious community, who committed suicide.