We were thrilled to learn that Kristin Chenoweth is the 2011 recipient of the Vanguard Award, presented annually at the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards to honor a member of the entertainment community who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for LGBT people. You probably remember back in May when the Newsweek/Ramin Setoodeh soap opera first began that it was K.Cheno who publicly stood up for gay actors -namely her Promises, Promises co-star Sean Hayes– when Setoodeh claimed that they can’t play straight.
But here’s where it gets interesting! Kristin actually consulted with our hero/Editor-in-Chief Riese when composing her response to Newsweek and it was Autostraddle who first broke the article to the media, so we consider this a big win in a lot of ways! After our post went live, it was picked up by nearly every media outlet on the web including the New York Times, The Huffington Post and E-Online. It became a topic of debate on The View, The Today Show and The Joy Behar Show and inspired an all-out Newsweek boycott from Glee creator, Ryan Murphy.
Prior to Kristin’s response, Setoodeh’s “Straight Jacket” article mostly just pissed off a bunch of gay bloggers but when Kristin spoke out it became something of a media phenomenon and most importantly put the spotlight on this very real Hollywood fear that is preventing tons of gay actors/actresses from coming out.
Kristin is a longtime supporter/lover of the gays and actually marched with Autostraddle in the National Equality March back in October 2009. I interviewed Kristin last summer, after the media storm quieted down to chat about her return to Glee, her brand new ensemble TV project, her strong Christian faith and her feelings about the overwhelming coverage of her Newsweek response article.
I love Kristen Chenoweth to death!!
It’s pretty cool that Riese consulted her! I even forwarded the AS interview because it was good!
She needs to be on Glee more often and she better be in Wicked the movie. *fingers crossed*
Congrats to Riese and Autostraddle and Kristin! This is very big!
I know this sounds ridiculous: 1) I know basically nothing about this girl Kristen Chenoweth but 2) I woke up to take the dog out this morning and her name was stuck in my head, repeating over and over.
Happens a lot with random words/songs but it’s always weird when it’s something I’m not very familiar with. Just thought I’d share. ;P
WIN! Applause for Kristin and high fives for Autostraddle. Hugs all around.
Yay! I love Kristen! Especially when she played Olive in Pushing Daisies, but otherwise as well.
Awesome! I hope she mentions Autostraddle in her speech!
me too
I’ll be listening specifically for that.
Every time I think I couldn’t adore Kristin Chenoweth more, she does something else awesome and proves me wrong! She’s amazing.
I fucking love Kristin Chenoweth. If her hair was red she would literally be the perfect woman.
Well done Kristin & AS! Watching Kristin in Wicked is still one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever seen on Broadway. Which, to be fair, only has competition with The Full Monty….but STILL.
Riese, I would like to see you accept this award please.
CEO of Ideas: CEO of the Movement.
Dude.. congrats!! Woot Woot!
No it’s time to step it up and conquer the world.. *insert evil laugh here*
Riese can you please consult with KC about the @ reply function on Twitter?
^^^^^^^^^^^
So, I love all thing Kristin Chenoweth (What’s not to love??) but I really want her back in Pushing Daisies, I loved that character… and the grandiose visuals in that show rocked my world.