Sophia Bush jokes about coming out, says 'queer values are American values' at GLAAD Awards

USA Today

28-03-2025

Sophia Bush jokes about coming out, says 'queer values are American values' at GLAAD Awards
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Sophia Bush comes out as queer
'One Tree Hill' star Sophia Bush has revealed that she now identifies as queer.
Bang Showbiz
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. − The 2025 GLAAD Media Awards not only held space for the woman of the night, "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo, but also served as a night to reignite the fight for LGBTQ communities.
Host Michael Urie ("Goodrich," "Shrinking" and "Ugly Betty") kicked off the festivities Thursday with both a powerful and hysterical monologue, channeling his inner Elphaba and Glinda and donning a pink-and-green suit designed by Christian Siriano.
Urie acknowledged it was a night to "give flowers" to the movies, TV, music, video games, podcasts and journalism that provide "fair, accurate and inclusive representation of LGBTQ people and issues."
"I am confident that if we keep fighting, loving and showing up, we can change minds and we will get that 'T' and that 'Q' back in the Stonewall National Monument," Urie said, referring to the Trump administration's erasure of references to transgender people from the New York monument website.
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"We will get that 'F' back on Hunter Schafer's passport," he added. "And we will keep all of that 'D' in 'The White Lotus,'" he concluded to a roar of laughter from the audience.
That was the tone of the night − one moment the Beverly Hilton hotel ballroom was reminded of the "terrifying and heartbreaking year" 2025 has been only three months in, and the next, the room was erupting in laughter, joy and applause.
This year's GLAAD Media Awards, which will stream on Hulu April 12, also handed out awards to rapper Doechii for outstanding music artist, Harper Steele of the Netflix's "Will & Harper" took home the outstanding documentary and "My Old Ass" (starring Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella) won outstanding film. Erivo was presented with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.
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Sophia Bush at GLAAD Awards says 'queer values are American values'
Actress and activist Sophia Bush introduced GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis, but not before poking fun at her coming out journey.
"My membership card came in the mail," Bush quipped onstage, jokingly pulling out a U-Haul card from inside her corset. "Listen, when I commit, I commit."
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"And commitment is exactly what GLAAD is all about, ensuring that acceptance isn't just a buzz word but a reality. Yes, on screen, but also off. Everyone in this room knows that representation changes lives," she continued. "Melissa Etheridge changed mine when she first sang 'Come to My Window.' (It) was a big clue for me back in 1993, and for my parents."
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The "One Tree Hill" alum added that she's "since been very blessed" to be told by fans that her makeout scene with Brittany Snow in the 2006 movie "John Tucker Must Die" was an "'aha moment' for a lot of young queer people."
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"I just want to say to everyone who has shared those stories of representation with me, it is my honor to serve the community," Bush joked, giving off a military salute onstage.
"Right now, at a time when so many marginalized people are under attack, communities like ours are under attack, and people who can cut through the noise and navigate this challenging media landscape are more important to us than ever," Bush said. "We need leaders that remind the world that our values, queer values are American values."