The event, announced April 25, will honor "the finest achievements from the LGBTQ+ entertainment community, both in front of and behind the camera, as well as showcase emerging and established talent," according to a press release.
Nunn recalled, "I went to the president of the CCA Joey Berlin and asked if I could create an LGBTQ+ celebration. With his approval, I recruited LGBTQ+ community members from within the CCA and began holding monthly meetings. A co-chair was added and organizers of the past events joined the meetings to guide the committee."
CCA already had celebrations honoring specific parts of the entertainment industry, he noted. "I wanted to take the model from past CCA celebrations and make it our own. From the beginning, I was firm about removing gender from every category to be inclusive to everyone. Many award ceremonies have not done that yet. … The strike forced us to reschedule twice, and now it is all happening finally."
Honorees for the June 7 event include Nathan Lane; Abe Sylvia; Carl Clemons-Hopkins; Chris Perfetti; Fellow Travelers producers Ron Nyswaner, Matt Bomer, Daniel Minahan and Robbie Rogers; Fernando Carsa; George Takei; Henry R. Muñoz III; Kristen Kish; Luke Gilford; Michaela Jaé Rodriguez; Oliver Hermanus; RuPaul's Drag Race; Shakina; and We're Here.
"This ceremony is more important than ever," Nunn said. "It is a different time of the year than the other CCA celebrations and is held in June for Pride month. Some of our honorees have never been honored with recognition such as this before.
"I am incredibly grateful for the chosen family joining me to make it possible. The strike forced us to reschedule twice, and now it is all happening finally."