Day of Silence

It's not only the day to protest discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, but also a day to protest any type of discrimination that has happened around the globe.

Glad to be at GLAAD

Brian and I went to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards (something like Gay Oscar) few weeks ago as an invitation to be chaperons to some of his students. Seriously, we were such bad chaperons cause all we cared was to get tickets to attend the Awards. We even left them behind after the Awards because we couldn't locate them!

Anyway, we had a blast time there. All we did was looking at gorgeous gay men walking around, and having yummy finger foods to fill our tummy before the show started. There were silence auction fair booths outside of the huge Kodak Theatre, selling stuff from gay cruise to porns. It was also my first time in the theatre, and I've never felt more like a star that night.

What really blew me away about this Awards was not the men in suits, but how gay people stood up for their rights during the two hours show. The Awards started with flash presentation of gay people coming out to their families and friends, and gay characters star in movies and films, and also how people protest against homosexuality which leads to hate crimes. At the end of the presentation appeared a famous quote by Alice Walker -

"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow and be perceived as fully blossomed as you."

THAT totally blew the fucking mind out of me!

Jessica Alba presented the first Award for Outstanding Drama Series, which was won by The L World. There were a few presenters such as Garry Marshall and Judy Gold, who were outrageously funny, that kept us entertained. What is more interesting was a cast from TransGeneration proposed on stage to his girlfriend...WOW! Now THAT you don't see everyday in life. I totally solute him for doing that.

Melissa Etheridge and Charlize Theron both accepted Awards for outstanding achievement in music and film respectively. Too bad Melissa didn't perform that night, but she sure gave a great speech that inspires every young gay people in America to come out and fight for their rights. Charlize, with her humble personality, is the most beautiful person I've ever seen. While accepting the Award, she mentioned about her boyfriend, and one of the audiences asked if he's cute. She replied, "yes...but back off!"

An event like this does make a difference in most gay people's life. It does not only inspire, but also provide comfort for those who are still searching for their true identity. Homosexuals have long been discriminated, and just like what Melissa Etheridge said, it is time for us not only to stand up for our rights, but to fight against inequality that existed around the world.