GLAAD’s Latine Honors celebrates culture and identity with packed house

GLAAD’s Spanish-Language & Latine Media created and produced the first Latine Honors, nearly blowing the roof off of Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, with a more-than-packed house full of stars. 

The Latine Honors were created to celebrate the best in queer, Latine visibility and representation in entertainment media, advocacy and journalism. This event took place back-to-back-to-back with the GLAAD Black and Brown Honors and the 36th GLAAD Media Awards. 

The hilarious stand-up comedian Roz Hernandez, who continues to make waves in the Los Angeles comedy scene, hosted the event 

Hernandez says she is very lucky to be acknowledged by GLAAD and to join forces with them in the work they do for the LGBTQ+ community. “Every single time [GLAAD] calls, I answer,” said Hernandez on the carpet. 

The Spanish-Language Special Recognition Awards were presented on stage by Harvey Guillén to “The Q Agenda,” a TV series on Latination and “La Verdrag,” a news show on Canal Once, for their incomparable contributions to queer, Latine representation in media. 

LA Blade, CALÓ News' publishing partner, had the chance to interview some of the Latine stars that graced the carpet to offer their two cents on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including Harvey Guillén, Vico Ortíz, David Archuleta and members of “The Q Agenda.” 

“I think now more than ever, it’s important for us to remember that we can’t be numb to the things happening around us,” said Guillén. “People are becoming less empathetic toward our community and other communities being attacked, so we have to remember to not lose focus. Do not lose focus and do not lose empathy.” 

We also had a chance to catch up with Ortíz on the carpet. Ortíz was an honoree at the Latine Honors for their outstanding contributions to the media and entertainment industries as a Puerto Rican, non-binary, multi-hyphenated artist. They are currently hosting a daily LGBTQ+ news podcast with Nay Bever, where together, they tactfully deliver the news that is relevant to our communities. 

“I am co-hosting a daily news podcast called ‘Today in Gay,’ where we wake up everyday, we read the news and then report them to our queer community,” said Ortíz. “It’s quite a responsibility, but I’m also really honored to deliver [the news] with care and tenderness and tact.”

Archuleta spoke to us about his latest single "Créme Bruleé," which incorporates a Latin flare to a pop tune. 

“I’m so excited because I just released a new song, 'Creme Bruleé'” said Archuleta. “I was really inspired by the pop girlies – Chapelle, Sabrina, Charlie [XCX], Billie [Eilish], and I just thought I wanted to channel that and I want to feel that confidence and that sexiness that I feel when I listen to their music, but I wanted to add a Latin flare to it.” 

Keynote remarks were delivered by GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. Welcome remarks were shared by Monica Tresandes, Senior Director of Spanish Language & Latine Media and Representation and Gabe Gonzalez, host of GLAAD’s original "¡DÍMELO!," shared remarks about the attendees representing the Latine creators and media from across the industry.