GLAAD’s New York Gala to Honor Bruce Cohen, Feature Ariana DeBose and Alex Newell

Set to go down later this month — Oct. 23, to be precise — the Manhattan fundraiser will fete Oscar and Tony winning producer Bruce Cohen with one of the org’s marquee honors, the Vito Russo Award, which recognizes work in “accelerating LGBTQ acceptance.” The program has other boldfaced names on it, too, with Ross Mathews as host, Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as presenter and Tony winner Alex Newell as performer.

With the honor, Cohen follows in the footsteps of previous recipients like Billy Porter, Michael Patrick King, Ricky Martin, Alan Cumming, Rosie O’Donnell, Cynthia Nixon, Anderson Cooper, Wilson Cruz, Tom Ford, Andy Cohen and more.

“I first started working with GLAAD as co-chair of Out There over 30 years ago and have been an avid supporter and unabashed fan of their work ever since, so this is a cherished full circle moment for me to be receiving the iconic Vito Russo Award,” Cohen explained via statement. “I am deeply honored to be joining the list of legendary previous recipients, especially at a time when the work of this extraordinary organization, under the visionary leadership of my friend Sarah Kate Ellis, has never been more necessary. And to have this prestigious award presented to me by the incandescent Ariana DeBose — extraordinary artist, dedicated activist and dear friend — is truly the scrumptious icing on a fabulously queer cake.”

Cohen’s got a long and illustrious career. The Yale University graduate is perhaps best known as the Academy Award winning producer behind best picture winner American Beauty alongside then-producing partner Dan Jinks. He also snagged best picture noms for Milk and Silver Linings Playbook, the former of which told the story of pioneering gay politician Harvey Milk. Other major credits include Pushing Daisies, Big Fish (both the film and Broadway show), Ex-Husbands, Blink Twice, The Great Lillian Hall, Rustin and Broadway at the White House for first lady Michelle Obama. He won a Tony for The Inheritance and was nominated for co-producing Slave Play and Gypsy toplined by Audra McDonald.

On the activist and advocacy front, he’s also worked with organizations like Human Rights Campaign, National LGBTQ Task Force, Outfest, NO ON 8, American Federation for Equal Rights, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, DNC LGBTQ Executive Council, Family Equality, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Gilbert Baker Foundation and more.

Fun facts: He began his film career as a DGA trainee on Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple; President Biden presented him with a National Medal of Arts in 2023; and he once performed at both the Universal Amphitheater and the Greek Theater in L.A. as a go-go dancer for the B-52s. As for the Cohen and DeBose connection, they collaborated as creative director and host for the inaugural Freeley Fest.

Praised Ellis: “His dedication as an advocate spans creative projects, philanthropy and grassroots efforts to support LGBTQ people and strengthen democracy. Bruce’s all-encompassing commitment to leveraging media for progress makes him the ideal recipient of the Vito Russo Award, placing him alongside iconic leaders who also know the power of art and community.”