Oprah Winfrey honors her brother who died of AIDS at the GLAAD Media Awards

Oprah Winfrey honored her brother, Jeffrey Lee, while accepting the Vanguard Award at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards.

Winfrey became emotional while speaking about Lee, Who died of AIDS at the age of 29 in 1989During her acceptance speech at Thursday night's ceremony.

“A lot of people don't know this, but 35 years ago, my brother, Jeffrey Lee, died when he was just 29 from AIDS. Growing up at that time, in society, we didn't know that. We have the language,” the former talk show host said. “To understand or talk about sexuality and gender the way we do now.”

She continued, “At the time, I didn't know how deeply my brother internalized the shame he felt about being gay. I wish he had lived to witness these liberating times and be here with me tonight.”

Winfrey said her brother was an inspiration oprah winfrey show, The first episode aired on September 8, 1986 and ended in May 2011.

“Every year Opera “The show for me was about sharing stories that actually helped people be more authentic and I know that is the truest form of what it means to be free,” she said. To be able to be fully who you are. To have the truest expression of yourself as a human being.”

a press release By GLAAD states that Winfrey received this honor because of her “advocacy and making a significant difference in advancing acceptance of people and issues related to the LGBT community.”

Winfrey — who was wearing an elegant black dress with purple embellishments — gave examples of how she highlighted those values ​​on her show and the many years that followed.

“I'm proud to support and produce projects that focus on LGBTQ stories through Harpo, through OWN. And I will continue to hire queer and trans filmmakers to bring original characters to the screen like Here Tonight nominees Trace Lysette and our amazing Hulu series.” Black cake“Winfrey said.

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“And I'm so grateful that I'm able to work with GLAAD to make sure that we get it right along the way because that's what I know, I know, I know for sure — because when we can see each other, we really see one another, when we're open to supporting the truth of a human being.” Else, it provides us all with a full, rich and vibrant life.