Jennifer Coolidge.Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GLAAD
Unlike her belovedWhite Lotuscharacter,Jennifer Coolidgehad nothing to fear among friends at the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards, held Thursday at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
The Emmy-winning star, 61, got a standing ovation as she stepped on stage to open this year’s show. And she was quick to remind the audience of the last time they saw her in such fabulous company.
But the star quickly got serious. “We’re here to honor media that helps the world understand and respect the LGBTQ+ community,” said Coolidge. “You know, I have so much respect for the LGBTQ community and I just want you all to know that I love you and I thank you for always being there for me.”
“That’s why I’m here, because I wanna give back,” she continued. “That’s really what the GLAAD Media Awards are all about and I just want to tank you all for being you and for inspiring me.”
For Coolidge, supporting the LGBTQ community is supporting humanity. “We all have a right to be who we are and to love the people that we love and tell our stories and celebrate that in every way that we can,” she said.
“I love you, sweetie,” Lynch told a surprised Coolidge, as the two embraced and Lynch handed Coolidge the trophy.
“This wonderful woman here was pro-gay before it was cool to be pro-gay,” Lynch shared with the audience. “She is one of us, ladies and gentle. And I have always said that the world has to catch up to Jennifer Coolidge. And the world has caught up to Jennifer Coolidge! One of the best, ladies and gentleman!”
Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Lynch.Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GLAAD
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Thursday’s GLAAD Media Awards also saw accolades go toChristina Aguilera,Bad Bunny, Jeremy Pope, and Guillermo de la Cruz (among others).Billy Eichner’sBros, the Amazon seriesA League of Their Own, Disney+‘sDancing with the Starsand Fox’s9-1-1: Lone Starwere a few of the night’s big winners too.
As for Coolidge, she will be hard to catch up with soon. Later in the night, she had the highest bid in the event’s auction, shelling out $39,000 a luxury trip for two to Paris.
The GLAAD Media Awards streams on Hulu April 12.
source: people.com
