Keith Olbermann, Suze Orman Honored At GLAAD Media Awards

Keith Olbermann and Suze Orman were among the honorees Saturday night as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) celebrated its 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards.

"Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight presented Orman with the Vito Russo Award, an award "presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community."

T.R. Knight presented the Vito Russo Award to Suze Orman, personal finance expert and host of CNBC's The Suze Orman Show. The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.

In Orman's acceptance speech, she urged audience members to patronize corporations that support gay and lesbian rights:

"I want every single one of you in this room to take note of what corporations put their time and money behind gays, behind lesbians - behind you. Do you want to continue to give your money to people in corporations that oppress us, that keep us down? Or do you want to give your money to the corporations who can help us rise and change what needs to be changed in the United States of America today. I ask you to honor those corporations not only with your support but with your money as well. We can do this - and here's how you're going to do it. You are going to think about every single penny you spend from this day forward. And the only think I ask of you is to spend it and invest it in those companies that invest in you."

Orman cited General Electric, Avon, QVC, Random House and CNBC as examples of companies that had supported her.

Olbermann won the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment for his Special Comment on Proposition 8, "Gay Marriage is a Question of Love" (seen below). In his acceptance speech, he apologized for not having spoken up against Proposition 8 sooner (his special comment came the week after Election Day).

Watch Olbermann's prize-winning segment:

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Read more about the GLAAD Media Awards here.

Comments

[CynAnne]

My sincerest condolences to Keith on the loss of his beloved mother, Marie Olbermann. I empathize completely (it's been three years to this day since I also lost my mother to a sudden illness, as well, and I'm still struggling to understand). Our mothers love us throughout our faults and foibles, and keep our feet on the ground, even when our heads may be in the clouds. Rest in peace, Mrs. Olbermann, and know that like my mother, there are many who miss your shining light in their lives..

[sarahwaters]

There is nothing like a Mother's Love. I miss my Mother so much, it is actually painful even to think about.

[Alice Johnson]

KO rocks the party.

This special comment video is just as powerful as when I first heard it, live. I'll save it and watch it again when the issue of teh gai surfaces in my consciousness again.

My favorite line in his special comment: "What's it TO ya?" What is it to you, whether gay people marry or not? I've never heard a decent answer to this question from the homophobes; it is always ignored in favor of other sound bites.

I never miss his show, either. And naturally, I stay enthralled for Rachel's hour, too. Between them, I get the news I need and a deeper understanding of it.

I can skip Chris Matthews, though. He has good stuff to say, but I can't stand him talking right over his guests so rudely. And there's something wrong with his pronunciation - he can't say 'Cheney' correctly. Or 'American'. I feel embarrassed for him and change the channel.

Alice

[AnotherTry]

Funny how Keith couldn't be bothered to discuss prop 8 BEFORE election night. Being safe is easy and doesn't merit special recognition.

[Margo Arrowsmith]

Oh, good grief, his bit was hardly 'safe' and he has always been clear about his stance.

And frankly, since no one thought it would pass, doing his bit before the election would have been much safer than doing it after the election when we learned that it passed

[AnotherTry]

No one thought it would pass? Maybe you should leave the gay commentary to the gays. You are obviously without a clue.

[SColbert]

Ay O to KO!

[TrooAmerican]

Way to go KO, and SO!
Suzy calm your teeth down.

[brandnewstuff]

BRAVO!

[BirminghamBill]

Why is there a Google ad for the timothyplan web site attached to this article? The timothyplan web site is a violently homophobic web site that attacks the very companies Suze Orman is encouraging all of us to support. Keith, Suze, and Rachel are three of my favorite broadcasters, and the ad for the timothyplan web site is an insult to all that they stand for.

[NextYearLions]

Well said by Suze Orman.

[SouthJerseySteve]

A big "two snaps" for KO and Suzy O -- both of their last names start with O -- coincidence?
Anyway, I too was blown away by his Special Comment, I have the url bookmarked along with Jack Black's Prop 8 the Musical, which is hilarious! I love that part about the shrimp cocktail being taboo.

[PW1206]

There are so many people on television that are passionate about precisely the wrong things (let's extend that to "people in our society," actually); it's nice to be reminded that Keith's not among that number.

[RickyPoo]

I love every honor KO, Rachel and the rest of MSNBC pile up just to watch certain heads explode in response....

Time to grab some popcorn....

[onceler]

Agree with all these comments, this particular segment by KO was very heartfelt and touching. Prop 8 is an ugly stain on this country, as is every similar measure used to oppress people based on their sexuality. There is no good reason anywhere to keep discriminating against and punishing people based on who they fall in love and have sex with.

[JustJoy7]

I am proud of anyone who has the courage to speak up on this issue. The so called religious people in our country and the meanest, most evil lot there is. It's not about being or not being gay, or the right to choose, or any other so called moral issue, it's that they want to control the lives of masses of people "in the name of God," like God isn't capable of dealing with his creations. The sad thing is that these people do the same things they carry candles against, but they are too chicken to be forthcoming; instead, they try to make people think they are against it...until they get caught and outed.

Thumbs up Suze!!!! Keith!!!!! Rachel!!!!! and all others who have the integrity to be honest.

[jacobnyc]

Keith O, you beautiful bastard. I love your show dude. Keep up the good work. Hashem will definitely bless you for all you do and fight for.

**Spread Love, Not Hate**

[Extranjero]

Great Commentary Keith. As usual you hit the nail on the head. As a gay man, I am not sure that "Marriage" is the answer, but a legal relationship, guaranteed by the state shall and will be the law soon everywhere. Suzie and Keith are "top shelf" and their words and deeds will continue to reap honors from the public. Keep up the good work!

[TomInJax]

I totally agree with you. I too could care less about "marriage," but a legal civil union that afforded us the same legal rights would be fine. My partner and I of 15 years have all the legal instruments in place: Will, PA, medical PA, irrevocable trust, etc, but it's just not enough. We should be able to file our taxes jointly, etc., etc.

My partner and I watched this live back in November and were blown away. Of course emotions were high at that time for us. Obama was president, but it was bittersweet because just like in California, we suffered the same defeat in Florida. Hearing Keith's words made us hopeful. We may have lost this battle, but the war was far from over.

[bsc]

I also agree. My partner and I also have all the legal instruments but would have saved a couple thousand in taxes if we could file jointly.

[Dystopic]

The gay rights movement is plagued by the same idiots as the cannabis legalization camp.

In the cannabis camp we have the tye dye wearing, no bathing dirty scummy hippies who have been the face of the cannabis movement. Wavy Gravy is not doing us any favors. They never show the millions of us who are daily cannabis users, who own and run successful businesses, raise families and are active in our communities.

In the gay rights camp, you have what I call "Super Gays" whose only talent is being as super gay as they can be, and throwing that into the face of the "straights". Taunting those whose support you need will never be a winning formula. Same thing with your fight, they never show the comitted, monogamous people, they always show the "clubbers" who love to take viagra and have unprotected orgies.

At my business, I do not discriminate. I have several openly gay employees, and I extend their healthcare to their partners.

Civil unions are only a matter of time, as is cannabis legalization. Saner heads are moving into power, and as the "old guard" dies off, then we will have our time and our rights.