The GLAAD Awards turn 30: See the most important moments in the show's history

The first-ever ceremony took place on April 29, 1990, at the Time-Life building in New York City. Donahue was honored with the Media Person of the Year Award for his continued coverage of the LGBT community, and was joined onstage by GLAAD co-founder Vito Russo.

Wilson Cruz, who played Rickie Vasquez on the cult teen show, was honored for his portrayal of a Catholic, biracial, gay teen. The actor told EW last year that he was in the closet during filming of the pilot, but came out to his parents after the series was picked up.

The mother of Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who was murdered in 1998, became an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Shepard and John have worked together as part of the Matthew Shepard Foundation for years.

Carrie Fisher presented the award to the late Taylor, whose contributions to the community are too numerous to list.

"I should have been here a long time ago," the television host and actress told the crowd.

It was the year after Brokeback Mountain hit theaters and helped to normalize same-sex relationships on the big screen (and won three Academy Awards).

It was only one month after Hudson won the Oscar for Dreamgirls.

It was one of the singer's first apperances since coming out, and he received the Vito Russo Award to a standing ovation.

The singer made a surprise appearance to present Chad with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, in their first moments together since his transition.

And she did it, in perfect Madge fashion, by dressing as a Boy Scout.

Over two years before the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, the then-91-year-old made a powerful statement.

The Will & Grace star accepted an award presented by Andrew Rannells, taking the opportunity to urge Americans to resist — and even through in a Smash joke.