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“Glee”‘s Dianna Agron hosts the GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco

The stars and creators of Glee, Pretty Little Liars, Grey’s Anatomy and more came out to the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco Saturday night to have, you guessed it, a gay old time. The show mixed activism with fun and the second annual sweet lady kiss auction to raise awareness and cash for GLAAD and the work it does on behalf of the LGBT community in the media. Glee star Dianna Agron followed her co-star Naya Rivera from last year as host for 2012. Presenters/attendees included Pretty Little Liars stars Shay Mitchell and Ashley Benson, the cast of Scandal, the cast of Degrassi and Rita Moreno and Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice/Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes received a special award. But the stars and honorees all stopped to chat with AfterEllen.com on the red carpet (well, it was more multi-colored with a large geometric pattern) before the show started. Some highlights from our exclusive interviews. With Dianna Agron, who hosted the show and plays Quinn on Glee:

AE: So I have to ask you about Faberry, there are legions of people who are fans of the Quinn-Rachel relationship. Tell me about them and do you hear a lot from them and what you think about their championing of that coupling? DA: I mean we hear about it, especially at events like this. I think I definitely understand. Sometimes you’re watching a show and you really like relationships between people and you wish there was more. It’s very flattering. It was so crazy when we were winning those polls and beating real on-screen couples. But I’ve had so much fun with Lea and I think that’s a testament to that.

AE: Are there nods to that on the show? There was that scene where Santana says, “Stop making out with Berry.” DA: I know. I think maybe the writers are having fun with that a little bit. But I think also too they were a very unlikely friendship and the fact that they did find their place, I think definitely opened doors for people’s imagination. I had a girl who came up to me once and said, “I felt like Rachel in high school and there was a Quinn and I always felt she wouldn’t be nice to me. And then I was watching your show. And I blew out the door. And now she’s one of my best friends.” So I think that is special and it’s very sweet.

AE: How much can we expect to see of Yale Quinn next season? DA: I have no idea. They are writing right now. We’re waiting and we’ll take whatever we get.

With Shonda Rhimes, who received the Golden Gate award:

AE: First of all, practically all of lesbiankind has asked me to throw myself at your feet and beg for your mercy to not kill Arizona when next season starts. SR: I can’t tell you anything about casting or anything about next season. It’s all a secret or I’d have to kill you.

AE: But, our readers might be OK with that if they got to know she was alright. So Callie and Arizona are characters who are very popular with lesbian and bisexual fans. How is it that you are able to write these gay characters so well who are so well loved? SR: Hopefully I love is universal. I feel like any two people in love behave the same way as any other two people in love. It doesn’t matter if they are a man or a woman or two men and two women. To me it’s about writing about two women in love and feeling authentic in those characters. Also I have Jessica Capshaw who is amazing and Sara Ramirez who is incredible. So they have the most amazing chemistry together, which I think is really wonderful. AE: Diversity is obviously important to you in writing and casting, from the beginning did you always want to include LGBT characters on Grey’s Anatomy? SR: Yes. I feel like it is important. To me it feels like the civil rights movement of our times. Everyone should be represented. I grew up not seeing people who looked like me on television, except for The Cosby Show. I feel like that translates to a lot of other people and that should be something universal to television.

AE: How does it feel tonight to be honored for your work by GLAAD? SR: It’s a huge honor. They are sort of saying I’m doing my job correctly, which is nice. We’re telling stories about people who don’t normally get stories told about them. Someone told me the statistics of LGBT characters on television, I was horrified to find out there weren’t that many. So it’s exciting for me to be told we’re doing a good job.

AE: So do you hear a lot from your lesbian fanbase. I know you’re very active on social media and the Calzona Army talks to you. SR: I hear a huge amount from the lesbian fanbase and I love the Calzona Army. I feel like it is one of the things that is great. They sort of validate what we’re doing. Every time I fight with Standards & Practices to get to do a scene — and I don’t have to do that very much anymore, thank God — but every time I did that to then hear from the fanbase that, “Oh, they had a scene where they were kissing, thank you” or “Oh, they had a scene where they were in bed, thank you,” it meant a lot to me. I thought, how can this be so rare that this is happening? So I love hearing from them, it’s great. Katie Lowes, plays Quinn on the new Rhimes show Scandal:

AE: Shonda is getting the Golden Gate award tonight and she always includes a lot of diversity on her shows, did that attract you to being on one of her shows? KL: Absolutely. She represents all different people on her shows and I think it’s really important to be able to turn on the television and see someone like you, whoever that may be — race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background — and she includes all of that on all of her shows. And when word got out that a new Shonda Rhimes show was coming out, you’re chomping at the bit to be a part of it, not only because it’s going to be incredible because all of her humanity is compassionate.

AE: Tell me about this first season of Scandal, how has response been? KL: It’s been like nothing I’ve ever been through. People are just die-hard fans of it and I can’t even believe I’m on this show. The series ends with my character as a cliff-hanger, you don’t know who she really is. So I’m just really excited for Season 2.

AE: Do you know? KL: [Shakes head] I’m not allowed to say anything and I see my boss Shonda [points up red carpet] right over there. So I’ll get in huge trouble if anything is leaked. But it’s going to be good, it’s going to be Shonda.

With Annie Clark, who plays out lesbian character Fiona on Degrassi:

AE: So do you hear a lot from your lesbian fans on social media. I know you’re on Twitter. AC: Yeah, Twitter has been the best thing for that. I’ve heard so many girls say I’ve given them the courage to come out to their friends or family. My character had a storyline where she came out to her best friend first, and that sort of was the whole starting point for that. So yeah, it’s the best to hear that. Even though it’s all the writing, it’s nice to hear from people that I helped them in a way.

AE: Did you expect that when you heard the direction your character was going, did you expect that from lesbian fans. Because we’re very vocal and very loyal, I think. AC: I was not expecting it at all. They told me your character is going to be a lesbian now and I was like, cool. And then I got all of this feedback on Twitter and it was such a great bonus. But they are very loyal, I love it.

AE: So, your character is in a relationship with Imogen, I believe, what’s going on with that and what can you tell us? AC: We’re filming Season 12 now and at the end of Season 11 we saw Fiona and Imogen kiss on the ferris wheel. So that was very cute. So this season we’re hoping that they will stay together as a couple because they are very cute together. With Jordy Todosey, who plays the FTM transgender character Adam on Degrassi:

AE: You are one of the few trans characters on TV right now. Do you hear a lot from that community? JT: Yeah, I have a Twitter and a Tumblr, and a lot of people like to talk to me about how much Adam, my character, has helped them and explain what it’s like to be them. So it’s great to hear that.

AE: Are we going to see a love interest for Adam next season? JT: Oh, yes you might. But I can’t say too much. But maybe yes.

With Beverly McClellan, The Voice Season 1 contestant and GLAAD Awards performer:

AE: So you were out on The Voice, in its first season. There seems to me there are more out contestants on The Voice already than were on American Idol, why do you think that is? BM: Oh, I was out since the day I came out of my mama. I can’t speak to American Idol but I can speak to NBC. They absolutely put no holds barred on us. They said go out there and be yourself, because this is the risk we’re willing to take. And I said I’ve been taking it all my life, I’ll do it with you. It was hands and hand. All of us, there were lots of us there and it was really cool.

With Ian Harding who plays Ezra, affectionately known as an honorary Ezbian, on Pretty Little Liars, Ezra:

AE: So what can people expect from this new season of Pretty Little Liars, which debuts Tuesday? IH: The storylines intermingle. I think the cast is less segmented. Everyone gets involved in the scandal and we see more skeletons coming out of the closet. It’s going to be juicy times three, for Season 3. That was tacky.

AE: So, there is this “Ezbian” joke that Heather Hogan, our Pretty Little Liars recapper extraordinaire, has made. IA: Oh, “Ezbian Loves Lesbians,” yes — which we made a T-shirt out of. AE: So you’ve been really supportive and good-humored and supportive about it. Where does that come from? IH: My sister is a lesbian and I remember growing up from a young age and seeing from a young age that this wasn’t something for attention. It wasn’t something that was sick or perverted or anything like that. I knew that wasn’t true. From a very young age I realized, oh, this is another human being who just loves someone else. So the fact that LGBT people are questioned and kind of hated in this country is so laughable. It’s so ridiculously wrong.

AE: So you hear a lot from the lesbian fans? The Emily fans are of course legion. IH: I get a few. A lot of it is, “Oh my God, I love that you are in love with Aria. It’s a very heterosexual storyline. But I do get a few. And in airports you’ll run into a few of them who say, “Listen, I think you’re the best lesbian on there. Always talking about your feelings and falling in love quickly.” So thank you for giving me honorary lesbian status.

AE: You get a mini-toaster oven. IA: Or a pin, at least. With Shay Mitchell, who plays out character Emily on Pretty Little Liars:

AE: So tell me what have you heard from Emaya fans over the break. They’ve been going pretty crazy. SM: Emaya fans are amazing fans and they are very dedicated to Emily and Maya. They are absolutely wonderful. It has been difficult because in the season finale Emily clearly lost her girlfriend. But what I keep telling them is if you want Emily to be happy you do have to move on. Life does move on. But Maya was a very special person for Emily and a character that will always be loved.

AE: What else can people expect from Emily’s storyline this season? SM: Oh my gosh, well something very dramatic happens, if it didn’t already happen in the season finale, but something else dramatic happens in the season premiere. It’s going to kind of change the girls and they’re going to have to figure out a way out. We’re also going to get answers from Mona. A couple of them are. I always say it’s probably a good thing that Emily doesn’t go into the sanatorium. But the other girls get some clues and answers from Mona and she might not be the only one involved on this A Team. AE: I know there’s been some talk because obviously this is a difficult time for Emily losing Maya and there might be some boys happening. What can you say about that? SM: We always like teasers on the set. We don’t want everyone to know what’s going to happen. So we’ve popped a couple of photos out there that may or may not be true. Yeah, there are going to be some guys. Maya’s cousin comes back into town and he’s going to help Emily get over everything and help with the healing process. So he is going to play a very important role in Emily’s life going forward.

AE: You’ve been playing this character for a while now and obviously the fans are so passionate. Were you expecting this kind of fan response when you took this role? How has it been for you. SM: You can only hope for the best and go with it. I love my character so much it just makes me even happier to know that so many other people have embraced her and love her as much as I do. Seeing the support from all over the world, it doesn’t where you are or where you live, they relate to my character and it’s such a wonderful thing. The fact that she’s give hope to so many young kids and not even kids, even older people who were like, “Oh, if only this show was on when I was going through high school would I have felt more comfortable, having someone to relate to. So it is really amazing and I couldn’t be more honored to play Emily. And I always say that, but I can’t say it enough.”

Shay also filmed a special shout out to all the readers at AfterEllen.com, and our own Heather Hogan.  

International readers, click here to see the video.

With Rita Moreno, one of the few performers to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.

AE: You’ve been a longtime LGBT activist. How do you think things have changed since when you entered the industry? RM: Oh my God, the door is suddenly open. Not completely, we still have to push it. But what a difference. When I did my first AIDS concert, and I think it was one of the first even before Elizabeth Taylor, and the press showed up and said why are you doing this? And I said why wouldn’t I. It was just people really living in a time warp. It’s changed enormously. Obviously it’s not enough. I think perseverance is called for. And nobody perseveres like the gay and lesbian community. AE: Do you think there’s been more progression on screen or behind the scenes? RM: From what I’ve seen television. They go in there and more than got their feet wet. They are the ones who really advanced the cause. And now I’m doing a show about a gay man divorced from his wife, who lives with her, called Happily Divorced with Fran Drescher.

The show itself featured Agron as host, and a slew of celebrity presenters, community supporters and every day heroes. Agron opened the show talking about her love for the San Francisco Bay Area and the impact of Glee.  

She went on to say she didn’t know too many gay people, which was weird growing up near San Francisco. But thanks to being on Glee and the progress made politically and socially over the years, those numbers have swelled.

“I love LGBT people, I do! I would say about 75 percent of my dearest friends are gay. I think of them as my friends, not just my gay friends. But we get along so well because they are no different than anyone else I surround myself with. They are fun-loving, vibrant, strong people who wear their heart on their seams. And they are bursting, literally bursting at the seams with love and compassion for everyone in the world.”

She also discussed her “gay timeline.” It started in her ballet class with a boy named George who didn’t like partnering with the girls. At the year-end show they invited professional ballerinas including male ballerinas. And after seeing them he lit up and changed. Then she flashed forward to high school when she snuck out as a junior to see the gay pride parade. There she said she saw people so happy and free and pride. The conversation on the ride home was about how wonderful it must feel to be out, to be true to yourself and to be brave.

Next, she said, her gay timeline continued when she was moving down to Los Angeles for the first time. She and a friend had driven all day and arrived tired and starving. They pulled off on Santa Monica Boulevard. Looking for a restaurant, and the waiter was “so hot” in tight black jeans and black shirt. And all the waiters were like that. And they walked out of the restaurant and saw all the gay flags. And said, “Oh, this must be LA’s Castro District.” And lives in that area still. Being cast on Glee, Agron said, made her gay knowledge “go through the roof.” And she “loved it.” It is because of them and our fans that I stand so proudly here today. She also addressed her now famous “Likes Girls” T-shirt she wore while on the Glee Tour last year during Pride Month.

“I wanted to show my admiration for the LGBT community. …. One night during our Lady Gaga number I decided to wear a “Likes Girls” shirt instead of my “Lucy Caboosey” shirt. … The next day I went on my Tumblr page and why I chose to wear that shirt and what it meant to me. … As you can tell I’m very passionate about this. But it’s because more than anything I hate seeing people be hurt. It is the one thing that kills me more than anything. And it seems so unnecessary.”

And with that it was time to hand out awards. The evening’s biggest honor was presented by Scandal stars Lowes, Guillermo Diaz and Kerry Washington who gave Rhimes the Golden Gate Award, which goes to a media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. Her acceptance speech was eloquent and heartfelt.  

The Pretty Little Liars stars Mitchell, Harding and Ashley Benson — who skipped much of the red carpet, were on hand to present, as were band members from the group fun. and actors Sean Maher (Firefly, Make it or Break It) and Adam Pally (Happy Endings). But the night wasn’t just about the big names. Community activists were also on hand to present and pick up honors. Brittany McMillan, the teen creator of Spirit Day which inspires millions to wear purple or ‘go purple’ on social media in support of LGBT youth, presented a Special Recognition Award to Facebook.

LGBT advocate and author Zach Wahls, who became an internet sensation when his speech to Iowa legislators about his gay moms went viral, spoke about his work with GLAAD and introduced another community hero, Ohio mother Jennifer Tyrrell, who was kicked out of her sons’ Boy Scouts troupe for being lesbian. Tyrrell brought her wife and children to the event . The kids even got some very special bonding time backstage with host Agron, who threw off her heels and picked up a lightsaber to play with them. The complete list of GLAAD Media Award recipients announced Saturday in San Francisco:

Outstanding Daily Drama Series – Days of Our Lives Outstanding Drama Series – Grey’s Anatomy Outstanding Digital Journalism Article – “Adam and Pete: Love in a Time of War” HuffingtonPost.com Outstanding Novela – Las Aparicio (Mun 2)

But the evening wouldn’t end before not one, but two very special celebrity auctions took place. First, Agron kept the tradition alive of auctioning off a kiss, which was started last year by Rivera when she hosted. Agron’s kiss went for $5,500, which beat Rivera’s high bid of $3,500 from a gentleman kisser. But, last year Rivera went equal opportunity and also accepted a matching bid kiss from a lady. Agron, however, only gave away one kiss and it went to another gentleman. Agron said she would have also been equal opportunity had a woman won, telling the crowd, “I’ve kissed girls before.” I certainly think he got his money’s worth, because that wasn’t a peck.  

Come on, gay ladies. Next year we need to start a pool so one of us can finally win one of these things. Sweet lady kisses should always be for the ladies. But not to be outdone, Rita Moreno came on stage near the end of the night and auctioned off her own personal prize. Her impromptu auction was for a date at her San Francisco house with drinks and canapés for eight people. She didn’t mention if kissing would be involved, but drinks are always a good way to get sweet lady kisses started. This time, a woman did win after a bid of $15,000. And she celebrated by flashing all the crowd a little bit of what has helped make her an icon in the industry. Like I was saying, a gay night was had by all.

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

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