GLAAD Vanguard Award honoree Oprah Winfrey delivers heartbreaking yet stirring speech

Oprah choked up as she spoke about losing her brother Jeffrey to Aids.

PUBLISHED MAR 16, 2024

Oprah Winfrey poses backstage during the 35th GLAAD Media Awards - Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton on March 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GLAAD)

Los Angeles, California (Release): Oprah Winfrey received GLAAD’s Vanguard Award from iconic Chicago performer Chilli Pepper and celebrity host Paolo Presta.

Oprah choked up as she spoke about losing her brother Jeffrey to Aids: “Many people don’t know this, but, 35 years ago, my brother, Jeffrey Lee, passed away when he was just 29 years old from Aids. Growing up at the time we did, in the community we did, we didn’t have the language to understand or speak about sexuality and gender in the way we do now. At the time, I didn’t know how deeply my brother internalized the shame he felt about being gay. I wish he could have lived to witness these liberated times and be here with me tonight.”

Oprah Winfrey and Sarah Kate Ellis, President, GLAAD pose backstage during the Vanguard award onstage during the 35th GLAAD Media Awards - Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton on March 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GLAAD )

She reminded the world that, today, "undetectable = untransmittable", stating: “In 1996, we met and shared the story of the beautiful young AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent. When she was just 11 years old she was on the show, and she recently passed away, having used her life empowering others. And she showed us that people living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, can lead healthy lives and do not transmit HIV.”

She also spoke about ongoing attacks against transgender youth: “And just a few years ago, as you saw on the tape, Elliot Page entrusted me to share his joy of being liberated in his transition, which helped open up the understanding of the challenges, the fears, the pressures facing our trans youth today.

"I am proud to support and produce projects centering on LGBTQ storylines through Harpo, through OWN. And I will continue to hire queer and trans filmmakers to bring authentic characters to the screen like nominees here tonight Trace Lysette and our fantastic Hulu series 'Black Cake'.”

GLAAD presented the following awards from six categories onstage:

Fellow Travelers received award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

Ted Lasso received the award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Monica received the award for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release.

RuPaul’s Drag Race received the Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program.

Yellowjackets received the Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

Reneé Rapp received the Award for Outstanding Music Artist.