MSNBC's Thomas Roberts and talk show
host Kelly Ripa were honored Saturday at the 26th annual
GLAAD Media Awards in New York City.
Roberts received GLAAD's Vito Russo
Award, which honors an openly LGBT media professional who has made a
significant difference promoting LGBT rights.
“It was liberating, and frightening
as hell,” Roberts said of coming out gay in 2006.
“People like me were considered
immoral at best, a joke,” he
said, adding that while life has improved for gay people, “we
have a long way to go.”
Ripa, co-host of Live with Kelly and
Michael, was honored with the group's Excellence in Media Award.
The award is presented to “media professionals who have made a
significant difference in promoting equality.”
In
accepting the award, Ripa called it odd that she “should be
celebrated for treating people like people.”