J.C. Penney, Lexus and General Motors were among the many honorees at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD) Amplifier Awards in New York City.
The ceremony, which aims to "elevate and promote individuals and projects in the advertising and public relations industries for groundbreaking representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community," drew the likes of Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge ("The Fabulous Beekman Boys"), writer Janet Mock, "Big Love" actor Christian Campbell and model/designer Isis King.
J.C. Penney took home the biggest honor for its "First Pals" ad, which featured two gay fathers with their children, for the retail group's Father's Day catalog. The "J.C. Penney dads" Cooper Smith Koch and Todd Koch accepted their award with a pre-taped speech (which can be viewed above).
Also honored was General Motors, for its tongue-in-cheek ad depicting the silver Chevy Volt as "coming out" to his older-model "parents."
"Tonight's nominees and award recipients set new industry standards which underline the value of gay and transgender consumers," GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said in a statement. "More and more companies are moving toward campaigns that include LGBT people, not only as potential customers, but as part of the American cultural fabric."
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