Bad Bunny receives GLAAD Vanguard Award

Bad Bunny has become GLAAD’s latest recipient of the Vanguard Award, receiving the honor from fellow Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin on Friday.

The award is given annually, and recognizes the efforts of those in the entertainment industry who do not identify as LGBTQ+, but who use their platform to make “a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.”

Bad Bunny’s speech

Martin presented the Vanguard Award by speaking on Bad Bunny’s track record for bringing awareness of gay and trans issues and for “loudly standing with trans women and the entire community and telling every fan to let the LGBTQ people dance, sing, love, and live lives authentically.”

In his acceptance speech, translated from Spanish to English, Bad Bunny said, “I don’t know how to write speeches and coming up here telling everyone how I feel. So I said to myself, I’m going to go up there, accept my award and speak from the heart.” He began.

“I want to thank GLAAD and the whole LGBTQ community for embracing me, for loving me the way they do, and for inspiring me too.”

He continued, “I always say I don’t do anything expecting an award. I don’t do music for an award, I don’t do videos, my appearance [for an award]. I do everything because of how I feel and that’s all I have done. I believe that following my heart has led me to where I am, following my heart has brought me here receiving this award, surrounded by such beautiful people.

“That’s all I want to do. Give and receive love,” he added.

Christina Aguilera and others also honored at the event

Aguilera received the Advocate for Change Award from Michael Anderson, a survivor of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs.

“I grew up in this community as most of my lifelong best friends identify as LGBTQ,” she said in her speech. “So much of who I am and what I do is because of each of you, and our shared experience of having to fight for equality and freedom in some capacity.”

She then turned to Anderson, telling him, “It takes incredible courage to live through violence and then decide, ‘I’m going to do something to change it.’” Anderson had traveled to Washington to speak to the US House Oversight Committee about how to prevent another Club Q shooting.

“That takes guts. We all need to raise our voices if we want to live in a world that’s free of discrimination, hate and violence.”

Jeremy Pope received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. The award is given to entertainment professionals who identify as LGBTQ+ and who have worked to raise the visibility of those in the community and raise awareness of the issues they face.

The event was hosted by Margaret Cho, with appearances by Orville Peck, Vanessa Williams, and Gabrielle Union. Jennifer Coolidge made a surprise appearance.