I was sad to hear about the passing of talk show legend Phil Donahue. I had the privilege of interviewing Phil on the Red Carpet at the 20th GLAAD Media Awards in NYC back in 2009. Donahue was receiving GLAAD's Special Recognition Award that is awarded to outstanding media representation of our LGBTQ community. Donahue’s was never afraid to tackled LGBTQ issues earning him praise from advocates who recognized the importance of his show’s platform. He was a pioneer in creating a safe space for open conversations about our LGBTQ identity, love, relationships & our fight for equal rights for over 30 years setting the president for positive representation of our community. Last May Donahue was rightfully presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden & part of the reason was because of Donahue’s groundbreaking voice for our LGBTQ community & AIDS recognition & empathy. Interesting enough 2 other key LGBTQ allies were also awarded the prestigious medal on that day. The mother of Matthew Shepard Judy Shepard & former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who both championed LGBTQ rights. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to talk to Phil about our LGBTQ equality. In this 2009 sound byte Donahue talked about how he would like to see a world without closets where love is love. Unfortunately here we are now 15 years later & there are still over 400 anti-LGBTQ bills in states across the country trying to take away our freedoms & push us back in the closet. Rest In Power Phil Donahue.
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