“Let me just say that no one of any race, gender identity, sexual orientation or abilities should have to face discrimination from their own government,” Light proclaimed after being presented GLAAD’s excellence in media award on Friday night at the Hilton Midtown.
Light supported the LGBTQ+ community during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the early ‘90s. At one of GLAAD’s first award ceremonies, she honored casting director and AIDS activist Stephen Kolzak shortly after he passed away from the disease. Another star who walked the carpet to emphasize the importance of authentic representation was “Good Trouble” star Sherry Cola. In the show, which was nominated for outstanding drama series, she plays a lesbian first-generation Asian American character named Alice.. “A lot of these people lack access and don’t understand these worlds, so they reject it. That’s why representation is important.”
Cruz said that he believes the main way to fight back against discriminatory laws like Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill is to vote in this year’s midterm elections.