Starting this particular June weekend of Pride events off with a bang was Friday night’s first annual Critics Choice Association‘s Celebration Of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, an awards gala that packed the main ballroom of L.A.’s Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel with each table’s settings sporting a rainbow pride flag among other festival decorations. The lively event brought out a host of honorees and starry presenters delivering lots of stirring and heartfelt remarks. Comedian and Actress Sherry Cola hosted the expertly paced presentation.
Sasha Velour, Stephen Warren, Jaida Essence Hall, guest, Charlize Theron, Johnnie Ingram, Priyanka, Latrice Royale and Peter LoGreco (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Among the previously announced honorees were Nathan Lane for Career Achievement; Star Trek legend George Takei (who is also leading Sunday’s L.A. Gay Pride parade) for the Social Justice Award; MIchaela Jae Rodriguez for the Vanguard Award; and performers Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Supporting Performance Hacks), Chris Perfetti (Breakthough for TV Series Abbott Elementary) , Fernando Casa (Rising Star Award Acapulco); and Nava Mau (Breakthrough Limited Series for Baby Reindeer). Also among honorees were Palm Royale creator Abe Sylvia (Showrunner Award); Luke Gilford (Breakthrough Director for National Anthem); Oliver Hermanus (Director Award for Television – Mary & George); and Shakina (Writer Awards For Television Series –Quantum Leap). Kristen Kish took the TV Host Award for Top Chef.
Chris Perfetti accepts the Breakthrough Performance Award from Sheryl Lee Ralph (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Ru Paul’s Drag Race took the Trailblazer Award, while We’re Here won the Reality TV Award. Paramount Global and President and CEO of CBS George Cheeks was on hand to deliver the Industry Leadership Award to Funny Or Die’s Henry R. Munoz III. Greg Berlanti presented The Producer Award went to Showtime and Paramount + Limited Series, Fellow Travelers.
Co-CEO,Paramount Global and President & CEO of CBS George Cheeks and Henry R. Muñoz III, winner of the Industry Leadership Award (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Other presenters on hand included Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Charlie Plummer, Karamo Brown, Ricky Martin, Ronan Farrow, Sean Hayes, and Sheryl Lee Ralph who attended with the cast of Abbott Elementary in support of fellow cast member Perfetti’s honor.
The show will begin streaming on June 21st on HereTV, the first and largest LGBTQ+ TV and Streaming service in the USA. The event is the latest in the Critics Choice Association’s series of Celebrations that have included Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, Celebration of Latino Cinema & Televison, and Celebration of Asian Pacific Cinema & Television.
Watch video of Nathan Lane’s acceptance speech below introduced by Sean Hayes:
Watch video of Matt Bomer and creator/showrunnuer Ron Nyswaner’s acceptance speeches below presented by Greg Berlanti: