Writer/director Steven Clay Hunter accepts GLAAD Award for Pixar’s ‘Out’

Writer/director Steven Clay Hunter accepted a Special Recognition Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for the short animated film Out. 

The 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards will premiere exclusively tonight, April 8, on GLAAD’s YouTube channel at 8:0 p.m. EST, and will be available for streaming on Hulu at 10:00 p.m. EST. But, leading up to the ceremony, GLAAD has already started to announce the recipients of several Special Recognition Awards on April 6 via twitter. 

Among the Special Recognition Awards announced recently was one given to the short animated Pixar film, Out. Released last year, Out tells the uplifting tale of a man who is not yet out to his parents, and finds his mind magically switched with his dog’s when they unexpectedly come to visit. It is the first Pixar and Disney short to feature a LGBTQ storyline, central character and same-sex kiss.

Writer and director Steven Clay Hunter accepted the award virtually, stating that he made the film specifically for young boys like himself. 

“When I set out to tell this story, I sat down and thought about what would my 12 year-old gay self want to see himself in, because I was very closeted throughout most of my life”, he states during his virtual acceptance speech. 

He goes on to say: “But when I look out at all the stories that are being told, by all the awards-makers and storytellers at this ceremony, there’s so much that I’m in awe of. What a world we live in where we have so many queer stories being told now. And I think my younger self would absolutely love it.” 

Watch Steven Clay Hunter accept the award for Out below!

Make sure to catch the premiere of the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards tonight exclusively on YouTube!