Tituss Burgess introduced a performance of Adam Lambert and sang a bit of 'All By Myself' at the Logo Trailblazer Honors. He also gave a nod to the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality. BWW has an exclusive clip from the show which airs this Saturday on Logo.
The second annual
Logo Trailblazer Honors air Saturday, June 27 at 8pm ET and also feature
Miley Cyrus,
Raven Symone,
Kelly Osbourne,
Billy Porter,
Frankie Grande,
Jane Fonda,
Sir Ian McKellen and
Lea DeLaria.
President Barack Obama addressed the crowd at the second annual Logo "Trailblazer Honors" with a special video message that CELEBRATED the network's tenth anniversary and the remarkable progress the LGBT equality movement has made over the last decade. Out actress Samira Wiley ("Orange is the New Black") and out retired NBA player Jason Collins introduced the video message and paid tribute to the Obama administration for its commitment to bettering the lives of LGBT Americans. The "Trailblazer Honors," which celebrate pioneers at the forefront of THE MARCH to LGBT equality, air Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Logo.
Logo also announced that
Miley Cyrus will open the "Trailblazer Honors" with a special video message celebrating the Supreme Court's historic decision on marriage equality (watch the clip below)
President Obama highlighted ten years of extraordinary progress for LGBT Americans and the country during his message. View the video message from
President Obama below. For more info on the "Trailblazer Honors"
click here
The Obama administration's record in support of the LGBT community includes both significant legislative achievements and major administrative actions in support of equality.
President Obama signed the bill to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. In 2011, he and former Attorney General
Eric Holder announced that they would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, paving the way for marriage equality in 37 states and counting. The administration lifted the HIV entry ban and developed a national HIV and AIDS strategy. The Affordable Care Act expanded access to health coverage for LGBT citizens, and health insurance companies can no longer deny coverage because of someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
President Obama also issued a memorandum to all Federal agencies abroad to promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons around the world.
"Throughout his tenure,
President Obama and his administration have provided the political leadership, will, and muscle necessary for the LGBT equality movement to realize so many of its highest aims," said
Stephen Friedman, President of
MTV and Logo. "As the LGBT community pushes ahead into a new era, we are proud to recognize the Obama Administration for its commitment to LGBT equality and its role in accelerating the monumental progress of the last decade."
Also during the
Logo "Trailblazer Honors," Martin
LUTHER King III and Raven Symoné ("The View") pay tribute to openly gay civil rights icon
Bayard Rustin, whose surviving partner Walter Naegle accepts the honor. Additional honorees includeJudy &
Dennis Shepard, Iranian LGBT activist Arsham Parsi and, along with PFLAG National, 'Trailblazing Parents.'The one-hour special is held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, one of the first religious institutions in New York City to champion LGBT issues.
The largest televised LGBT Pride event features performances from
Adam Lambert and Bleachers as well as presenters including TV personality
Kelly Osbourne,
Tituss Burgess ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"),
Michael J. Willett ("Faking It"), Violet Chachki ("RuPaul's Drag Race") and
Frankie Grande ("America's Best Dance Crew"). "Trailblazer Honors" also features special appearances from
Jane Fonda,
Lily Tomlin,
Sir Ian McKellen, Nate Ruess,
Judith Light,
Billy Porter and
Geena Rocero, among others.
Logo "Trailblazer Honors" is executive produced by Chris McCarthy, Ryan Kroft, and
Chris Williams for Logo. Joe Buoye serves as Executive in Charge for
Logo with Amy Doyle, Wendy Plaut and Gina Esposito as Executives in Charge of Music and Talent.
