Madonna dons Boy Scout uniform and smooches Anderson Cooper at GLAAD Awards
Madonna used her appearance at the 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday (16Mar13) to take aim at the Boy Scouts of America organisation's anti-gay stance by donning its traditional uniform as she presented newsman Anderson Cooper with a special award.
The popular broadcaster and TV host, who confirmed he was gay last year (12), was honored with the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made "a significant difference in promoting equality", and is named after a founder of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
The Material Girl took to the stage in New York to present Cooper
with the top honor, and couldn't help but court controversy with
her onstage ensemble - a swipe at the Boy Scouts' ban on openly gay
and transgender leaders.
Donning the shorts, shirt and hat worn by members of the Boy Scouts
of America, the gay icon told the audience, "I wanted to be a Boy
Scout, but they wouldn't let me join. I think that's f**ked up. I
can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent. I have a very good
sense of direction. I can rescue kittens from trees. Listen, I
wanna do (good) for the community."
Madonna then welcomed Cooper onstage and planted a huge kiss on the
red-faced reporter's lips.
The newsman turned serious as he gave a nod to all the same-sex
rights activists who came before him, saying, "I am only here
tonight because I've benefited from what they and so many others
have done... being gay is certainly one of the greatest
blessings... it opened my head and heart in ways that I never could
have predicted."
Previous recipients of the Vito Russo Award include Rosie
O'Donnell, Sir Elton John and Tom Ford.