New York, New York – On May 11th, Southern AIDS Coalition [SAC] was recognized during the 35th GLAAD Media Awards with the award for Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode for its Jennifer Hudson Show appearance. The episode, which aired on World AIDS Day 2023, featured SAC’s Executive Director Dafina Ward and Ian Haddock, Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly (Houston, TX). Joining Jennifer Hudson on stage, each of them spoke of the importance of changing narratives, creating more platforms for community-led advocacy, and the necessity of actively engaged allies.
“Receiving the GLAAD Award was such a big moment. I was honored to accept the award on behalf of Southern AIDS Coalition, in tribute to southerners living with HIV, and in commitment to continuing work that amplifies the stories and those who are too often marginalized and silenced. Allyship without meaningful action is empty rhetoric. We greatly appreciate The Jennifer Hudson Show for providing this invaluable space for learning and conversation.”
During the award-winning episode, Ian shared his moving story of growing up Black and LGBTQ in rural Texas, and the way that community and chosen family transformed his life, inspiring him to build an organization that is transforming the lives of others. Dafina called for an urgent response to the injustices in the South that perpetuate high rates of HIV transmission and other health disparities. During the segment, Ian was presented with a surprise donation of $10,000 from the Gilead COMPASS Initiative®.
The South was well represented, as Tennessee State Representative Justn Jones spoke to the urgency of change and activism. When introduced by the cast of We’re Here, he said in part: “We will never be silenced. If they turn off our microphone, we’ll bring a megaphone. If they try [to] ban Pride and drag, we’ll show [up] even bigger and stronger. And show up in rural communities and let them know that we are a force to be reckoned with because we represent a new South and a new nation. The South has something to say.”
GLAAD is the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization. , announced recipients for 18 of this year’s 33 categories at the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York. Jennifer Hudson also received the Excellence in Media Award, introduced by Laverne Cox. Orville Peck received the Vito Russo Award, presented by Jennifer Lawrence. The ceremony, which was held at the New York Hilton Midtown, was hosted by Ross Matthews. The evening also featured live performances by Loren Allred and Scott Hoying, of Pentatonix.
###
About the Southern AIDS Coalition: SAC is a non-partisan coalition of government, community, research, and business leaders working alongside thousands of individual members to end the HIV epidemic in the South. We do this through public health advocacy; capacity building assistance and education; research and evaluation; and strategic grantmaking.
