CNN anchorman Anderson Cooper joined some great company Saturday night. Cooper joined Suze Orman, Rosie O'Donnell, Elton John and Tom Ford as recipients of GLAAD's (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) annual Vito Russo Award. As reported by Reuters on Sunday, the award was presented to Cooper by pop star Madonna.
Cooper, who came out as openly gay last summer, has been inspiring and influential in the LGBT community and the recognition from GLAAD was both honoring and much appreciated by the journalist who gave credit to those who came before him and those who have been previously honored with the award.
"I am only here tonight because I've benefited from what they and so many others have done."
The Vito Russo Award, which is named after the activist and film historian who was one of the founding members of GLAAD, was presented to Cooper by Madonna who inspired the audience that everyone should love each other and her non-acceptance of bullying. To a loud applause she added.
"It's an atrocity to me, and I don't accept it."
And neither does the honoree of the night. Anderson Cooper has been one of the loudest voices against bullying. Earlier in march CNN premiered "The Bully Effect: An Anderson Cooper Special", a documentary chronicling the stories of kids and parents who have suffered the affects of bullying.
Anderson's motivation behind presenting the special is a huge example of why he was chosen for this year's award. It also marked the first time the CNN anchorman has made a public appearance at LGBT related event since he came out back in July.
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