VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPEAKS OUT ON ORLANDO AT THE LGBT “TRAILBLAZER HONORS” ON VH1 AND LOGO, SATURDAY, JUNE 25
“WE ARE ORLANDO. WE’RE ALL AMERICANS – UNBOWED. UNRELENTING. WE ENDURE. WE OVERCOME.”
Mayor of Orlando, Christina Aguilera, Whoopi Goldberg, Boy George, Rita Ora, Sia, Glenn Close, and more Send Heartfelt Messages to Orlando During Annual Event Recognizing LGBT Pioneers
New York, NY, June 24, 2016 – Vice President Joe Biden addresses the crowd at the third annual “Trailblazer Honors” with a special video message that honors the victims of the Orlando shooting and speaks out against recent anti-LGBT laws. The “Trailblazer Honors” air Saturday, June 25 on VH1 and Logo at 8pm ET/PT and spotlight LGBT pioneers including Billie Jean King, Harvey Fierstein, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. This year the largest televised LGBT Pride event will also be dedicated to Orlando.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Christina Aguilera, Boy George, Whoopi Goldberg and the cast of “Strut,” Glenn Close, Sia, Rita Ora, Melissa Etheridge, Kelly Osbourne, Denis O’Hare, Kathy Griffin, LeVar Burton, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Matt Nathanson, Nev Schulman and Max Joseph from MTV’s “Catfish,” Shirley Manson, Declan McKenna, and more, open the “Trailblazer Honors” with a special ‘We Are Orlando’ tribute video.
Vice President Biden’s video message on Orlando and the anti-trans North Carolina law: http://logotv.com/video-clips/8h26pt
RuPaul dedicates a moment of silence to Orlando: http://logotv.com/video-clips/1ksgm8
Christina Aguilera, Glenn Close, Sia, Whoopi Goldberg, Boy George, and more give video tributes to Orlando: http://logotv.com/video-clips/xzag7v
The cast of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race pay tribute to Harvey Fierstein with a surprise performance of ‘I Am What I Am’: http://logotv.com/video-clips/nrld1l
During his video message, Vice President Biden speaks to the victims of Orlando and all Americans:
“Hi everyone. This is Joe Biden and I wish I could be there with you in person to honor some truly inspiring trailblazers. Each of you gives meaning to Harvey Milk’s words, “Hope never remains silent.” And we need you. We need all of you. Because as we celebrate a year of equality in marriage, draconian state laws deny transgender Americans basic civil rights. And in nearly 70 countries, it’s a crime. It’s a crime to be who you are. And because the freedom to live freely means being free from bullying, free from harassment, and free from violence. You know, our hearts are still heavy for Orlando, but you’re showing tonight that we are Orlando. We’re all Americans. Unbowed. Unrelenting. We endure. We overcome. We’re hopeful and we will not be silent.”
Previously announced stage presenters for the “Trailblazer Honors” include Emma Stone, Macklemore, Lance Bass, Chloe Grace Moretz, Janet Mock, Wilson Cruz and Candis Cayne. This year’s honorees include Billie Jean King, Harvey Fierstein, gay Syrian refugee Subhi Nahas, transgender trailblazers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, as well as seminal LGBT media outlet The Advocate. Grammy Award-nominee Mary Lambert and multi-platinum selling pop star Rachel Platten also remember the innocent lives lost in the tragic shooting at the Pulse LGBT nightclub. LGBT ally and Mayor Jennifer Roberts of Charlotte, NC speak out against North Carolina’s anti-LGBT HB2 alongside members of global LGBT business organization Out Leadership.
The third annual “Trailblazer Honors” is the culmination of Logo’s day-long tribute to the people of Orlando on Saturday, June 25. ‘We Are Orlando: A Day of Remembrance’ features LGBT-themed films such as “Rent,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” and “Philadelphia,” as well as messages from LGBT allies to the people of Orlando and the names and photos of the 49 innocent lives lost in the shooting. Throughout the day a scroll will remember the victims of Orlando as well as victims of other anti-LGBT hate crimes. The “Trailblazer Honors” then features performances dedicated to Orlando as well as messages from celebrities and dignitaries speaking out about how LGBT visibility and Pride are more important than ever.
During the “Trailblazer Honors,” the largest televised LGBT pride event:
- Emma Stone, who will portray Billie Jean King in the upcoming film “Battle of the Sexes,” honors King for her heroic work for LGBT visibility and equality. King is not only one of the first prominent professional athletes to be openly lesbian, but is renowned in the tennis world for being one of the greatest to ever play the game.
- Grammy Award-winning artist Macklemore introduces Mayor Jennifer Roberts of Charlotte, NC and members of Out Leadership, the world’s first global LGBT business organization, which partners with senior LGBT and ally executives to leverage the business case for equality.
- Laverne Cox, Laura Jane Grace, Trace Lysette, Geena Rocero, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, among others, appear in a tribute video to transgender pioneers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Janet Mock, Candis Cayne and Tiq Milan bestow posthumous honors to the two women.
- Actor Wilson Cruz of ABC’s “Mistresses” and Jade Sotomayor present several special tributes to family members lost in Orlando. CNN’s Don Lemon and Alex Newell also present tributes to Orlando’s LGBT community.
- Grammy Award-nominee Mary Lambert and multi-platinum selling pop star Rachel Platten remember the innocent lives lost in the tragic shooting at the Pulse LGBT nightclub.
- Chloe Grace Moretz honors gay Syrian refugee Subhi Nahas, who made history by becoming the first person ever to present eyewitness testimony to the United Nations regarding ISIS persecution of LGBT people. After being marked for an honor killing, Nahas fled Syria and now helps LGBT people in the Middle East earn refugee status. He will also serve as Grand Marshal of this year’s NYC Pride March.
- Lance Bass and Thomas Roberts present a tribute to seminal LGBT news outlet The Advocate, which is preparing to celebrate its 50th Well before every LGBT equality victory was fought in the mainstream, it was featured – in depth – within the trailblazing pages ofThe Advocate.
- Joel Grey and reigning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bob the Drag Queen honor stage and screen legend Harvey Fierstein, who changed the game for LGBT storylines and actors in Hollywood and on Broadway with his iconic works including “Torch Song Trilogy” and “La Cage aux Folles.” Fierstein is also a ubiquitous LGBT advocate whose leadership in calling for an end to HIV and AIDS has spanned decades.
During the event, Laverne Cox, Judith Light, Matthew Broderick, Bernadette Peters, Wrabel, Troye Sivan, Billy Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Edie Falco, Joel Grey, Matthew Morrison, Laura Jane Grace, and Jason Collins, among others, appear in video tributes to this year’s honorees. Previous “Trailblazer” honorees include The Obama Administration, Edie Windsor, Laverne Cox and the cast of “Orange is the New Black.”
Logo “Trailblazer Honors” is executive produced by Chris McCarthy, Amy Doyle, Ryan Kroft, and Chris Williams for Logo. Matt Flanders is co-executive producer. Joe Buoye and Leah Lane serve as Executives in Charge of Production for Logo. Wendy Plaut, Gina Esposito and Marcia Lansdown are Executives in Charge of Talent and Music for Logo.
About Logo
Logo is a leading entertainment brand inspired by the LGBT community and reflects the creative class across television, digital and social platforms. Logo features one-of-a-kind personalities, shows, specials, and unique stories. Logo is part of Viacom’s Music & Entertainment Group including VH1, MTV, MTV2, Comedy Central and Spike.
