Why Bad Bunny and Christina Aguilera are being honored at GLAAD Media Awards

The GLAAD Media Awards are set to be a big occasion for Bad Bunny and Christina Aguilera following word they will be honored in Los Angeles next month.

The pair, along with Jeremy Pope, are set to receive special honors at the ceremony.

Why is Bad Bunny being honored at the GLAAD Media Awards?

The Puerto Rican rapper and singer is set to receive the Vanguard Award for his part in promoting queer visibility in the Latinx culture. Past honourees include Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Kacey Musgraves, Cher and Jennifer Lopez.

“Bad Bunny uses his role as one of the world’s most popular music artists to boldly shine a light on LGBTQ people and issues, including transgender equality and ending violence against trans women of colour,” said GLAAD president & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.

“By consistently advocating for our community, elevating our stories, and demanding action from anti-LGBTQ leaders, Bad Bunny redefines the positive influence Latin music artists can have within the LGBTQ community, and has set an example for all artists.”

Bad Bunny has never shied away from using his platform as an ally for transgender people and the LGBTQ community. For his video for ‘Yo Perreo Sola’, he dressed in drag, and he’s also an executive producer for Netflix and eOne’s adaptation of ‘They Both Die in the End’, which features a queer Latinx storyline.

Why is Christina Aguilera being honored at the GLAAD Media Awards?

Aguilera will take home the Advocate for Change Awards, which honors someone “who, through their work, has changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.”

She’s set to become just the second music artist to receive the honor after Madonna.

Along with dedicating her 2002 hit ‘Beautiful’ to the LGBTQ community, Aguilera raised more than $500 million for HIV research in 2004. She also brought trans dancers and drag artists into the limelight at the 2012 American Music Awards, and has shared the stage with LGBTQ artists like Kim Petras, Syd, Anitta, Chika and Rodriguez.

“From using her voice to speak out against anti-LGBTQ legislation to creating songs and music videos that showcase LGBTQ love, Christina loudly and proudly raises the bar for what it means to be a LGBTQ ally today,” said Ellis.

Pope will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak award for “breaking barriers across multiple industries as an out LGBTQ media professional.”

Where and when are the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards?

The two award ceremonies will be held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday, March 30, 2023 and in New York City at the Hilton Midtown on Saturday, May 13, 2023.