Bethenny Frankel, Chely Wright and Andy
Cohen were among the celebrities attending the Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD) second annual Media Awards in
Advertising on Wednesday in New York City.
Mad Men star Bryan Batt, who is
openly gay, hosted the event, which recognizes and honors individuals
and projects in the advertising and marketing industries for their
fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Country music singer Chely Wright, who
recently came out lesbian, presented American Airlines with the
group's Corporate Responsibility Award for its longstanding
commitment to the gay community.
A television commercial that touted gay
history programming on all-gay cabler Logo by apparel maker Levi
Strauss won the Outstanding TV Campaign award, while Cleveland-based
insurer Progressive Insurance won Outstanding Print Campaign for its
Works in Progress campaign that melded gay-related masterpieces with
pro-gay slogans.
“Tonight's honorees, nominees and
award recipients have set new industry standards which underline the
value of gay and lesbian consumers,” Jarrett Barrios, president of
GLAAD, said in a statement.
“More and more companies are moving
towards ads that truly reflect all people and learning that LGBT
people should be accepted and respected, not only for their potential
buying power, but for their contribution to the American cultural
fabric.”
Wells Fargo, Johnson & Johnson (K-Y
Couples) and SAGE also won awards.