Plot Synopsis

TRAILBLAZERS is annual event that celebrates the pioneers who have broken new ground in the quest for LGBT civil rights. The inaugural event premiered on Thursday, June 26, 2014 during the most historic week of gay rights -- the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and the one-year anniversary to the day of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) being overruled. President Bill Clinton honored Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan, the civil rights activists who defeated DOMA and opened the door for gay marriage. Activist and former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe honored Ugandan gay rights activist and refugee John 'Longjones' Abdallah Wambere for his work with Spectrum Uganda Initiatives, an organization that advocates for LGBT rights and provides health and education services to the community. Plus, 2014 TRAILBLAZERS honored the Brooklyn Nets' Jason Collins and the groundbreaking series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK for their historic strides to overcome bias and bring about LGBT equality: Jason Collins for becoming the first male publicly gay athlete in a major American sport, and OITNB for bringing the lives and stories of characters rarely seen on television into millions of living rooms around the country. OITNB cast members Laverne Cox (Sophia), Lea DeLaria (Big Boo), Taryn Manning (Pennsatucky), Samira Wiley (Poussey) and Matt McGorry (Officer Bennett) accepted the award on behalf of the series. Sia, accompanied by New York City's Gay Men Chorus performed her hit "Chandelier" and A Great Big World performed "Say Something" with Exousia. Finally, celebrities scheduled to appear included Demi Lovato (who honored her gay grandfather), Daniel Radcliffe, Jared Leto, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Pete Wentz, Ariana Grande, Iggy Azaela, Tegan + Sara, Laura Jane Grace, Joe Manganiello and Ed Sheeran. Held on Monday, June 23, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, 2014 TRAILBLAZERS premiered on television on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 9-10:05pm ET/PT on Logo, followed immediately by an encore presentation. On Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 8-9:10pm ET/PT -- one day after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to affirm the right to same-sex marriage -- Logo premiered the 2015 TRAILBLAZER HONORS, which was taped on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at New York City's Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
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The sixth annual TRAILBLAZER HONORS -- which was taped Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles -- premiered on International Women's Day 2019 (Friday, March 8) from 9-10pm ET/PT on Logo and VH1. Mindy Kaling honored her friend, director Ava DuVernay, who talked about wanting "to make films about women like [her mother]." Cher introduced Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who celebrated the election of more than 100 women to U.S. Congress. The third honoree, Me Too founder Tarana Burke, was introduced by Alyssa Milano. Author Margaret Atwood was the fourth honoree, but was not able to attend. HANDMAID'S TALE actress Samira Wiley accepted the honor on behalf of Atwood.