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GLAAD hosted its New York Gala at Cipriani on Friday night and spiced things up a bit this year. Opting out of the typical sit-down dinner, the Gala was a more casual affair with cocktail party vibes. This year’s show was hosted by the always hilarious Ross Matthews and honored film producer Bruce Cohen with the prestigious Vito Russo Award to celebrate his countless (and they truly are countless) contributions to LGBTQ+ equality. Cohen’s award was presented by Ariana DeBose and Bruce’s charming daughter, Ilaria.
Wellinthon García-Mathews (L) and Ross Mathews (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for GLAAD)
Sarah Kate Ellis (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
The evening also featured a tribute to Dolly Parton by Anika Noni Rose, who performed Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again” and Tony winner Alex Newell, who delivered a kick ass performance of “Independently Owned” from the Broadway show, “Shucked.”
Alex Newell (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
The night saw Andrew Matarazzo, Brooks Marks, Chloe Marks, Dan Amboyer, Frankie Grande, Gabrielle Browdy, Henry R. Muñoz, John Roberts, Jon Cryer, Karim Diané, Lauren Chan, Lisa Joyner, Racquel Chevremont, Margaret Cho, Max Talisman, Meredith Marks & Seth Marks, Nick Alvino, Peppermint, Sandra Lee, Seven Havens, Spencer Macnaughton, Stark & Collin Kriby, Sterling Jones, Tyler Whitman, Zeke Thomas, and more!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Ariana DeBose attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Anika Noni Rose attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Sterling Jones attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Andrew Matarazzo attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Richie Shazam and Ben Draghi attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Lisa Joyner and John Cryer attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Meredith Marks and Anthony Allen Ramos, VP of Communications, GLAAD attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Margaret Cho and John Roberts attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Joshua Zeke Thomas attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Brooks Marks attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Sandra Lee attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Frankie Grande attends the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Guests attend the GLAAD New York Gala honoring Bruce Cohen at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for GLAAD)
The evening was sponsored by Hyundai Motor America, Skydance, Absolut Vodka, Gilead, Hornitos, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Bank, Novartis, Teneo, Yahoo, Edelman, NBA, NFL, Proskauer, RSM, and Skittles.
GLAAD’s Media Awards in Los Angeles are scheduled for March 2027.
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