MSNBC news anchor Thomas Roberts and talk show host Kelly Ripa were among honorees at GLAAD’s annual media awards on Saturday, which recognize representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Roberts said, recalling the period when he became open about being gay, “It was liberating, and frightening as hell.” He added, “People like me were considered immoral at best, a joke,” noting that while things had improved for gay people, “we have a long way to go.” In other awards handed out at the 26th annual ceremony, Sports Illustrated was cited for outstanding overall magazine coverage, with the honor accepted by groundbreaking gay athletes Jason Collins and Michael Sam.
