Watch Boy Scout Madonna Introduce Anderson Cooper: VIDEO

Now that we've had time to savor Anderson Cooper's speech from last night's GLAAD Media Awards, here is video of Madonna introducing him. Dressed as a Boy Scout, the pop singer dropped not rhymes or tracks but admonishment and shame for those pockets of the world where homophobia still rules the day, places like St. Petersburg, Russia, where the singer defied laws against "homosexual propaganda" by celebrating gay love during a recent concert.

Of course no one can do Madonna's words justice quite like the Material Girl herself, so AFTER THE JUMP, Madonna's complete 12-minute introduction of Cooper at the GLAAD Media Awards.

Anderson Cooper Accepts Vito Russo Honor at GLAAD Awards: VIDEO

Anderson Cooper thanked not only presenter Madonna and sponsor GLAAD but also the many known and unknown LGBT activists who have come before him as he accepted the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards last night.

The award, named for the groundbreaking gay author behind The Celluloid Closet, is given to someone whose work and life are dedicated to breaking barriers and making life easier for the rest of the LGBT communities. Cooper, of course, knows he couldn't have done it alone. Nor is our job done: the fight continues to make sure these people's stories are told.

Watch video of Cooper's comments, AFTER THE JUMP...

Here, an excerpt from the ever-humble journalist's speech, in which he again says that being gay is his greatest blessing.

As a gay person, it's important for me to remember that all of us come from a community whose stories have for too long been forgotten and ignored, a community whose lives have for too long been ridiculed or misrepresented, a community that in spite of all that has found ways to love and to laugh and to care about one another, a community that has found ways to stand tall and stand up and make ourselves visible.

I know that I'm only able to be on this stage because of generations of gay people who have come before and some of their names are known, but so many have lived and died in silence… There lives never even acknowledged, their love hidden in the shadows, hands furtively held in the dark…

I've had many blessings in my life and being gay is certainly one of the greatest blessings. It has allowed me to love and be loved; it has allowed me to open my head and open my heart in ways that I never could have predicted. The ability to love one another, The ability to love another person is one of God's greatest gifts and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with people in my life, with my family, my friends, and my partner Benjamin.

Watch video of Cooper's comments, AFTER THE JUMP...

Azealia Banks and Madonna: Screaming Similarities

Left, Madonna in the "Bedtime Story" video. Right, Azealia Banks' artwork for her new single. Of course, the similarities end there.

Anderson Cooper Talks About GLAAD Award, Madonna: VIDEO

As has been previously noted, Anderson Cooper will be receiving GLAAD's Vito Russo Award this year and Madonna is presenting it to him. Lisa Rinna made note of it on his daytime show today.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

In related news, a group of rabid Little Monsters is reportedly threatening GLAAD over its choice of presenter, making false claims about Madonna, who was a fierce campaigner for safe sex during the AIDS crisis:

Madonna is one of the major reasons for AIDS. Back in the 1980’s, she encouraged gay men to have unprotected sex. While she certainly didn’t start the disease, she and her lack of morals helped it spread.

Please rethink your choice of having Madonna as a presenter. If you don’t, we Little Monsters will strike back in a way you won’t like.

Sincerely,
Lady Gaga’s Little Monsters

Madonna To Honor Anderson Cooper At GLAAD Media Awards

Madonna will be in the house at 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards March 16th, when the queen of pop will present journalist Anderson Cooper with the Vito Russo Award for his tireless work toward full equality.

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said in a statement, "By sharing his own experiences as a gay man, Anderson has reminded millions of Americans that LGBT people are part of their everyday lives and an integral part of our cultural fabric. He continues to raise the bar and set a new standard for journalists everywhere, and I'm proud to call him a friend."

Despite all his wonderful work, Cooper may very well be upstaged by Madonna, who has been fighting discrimination, ignorance and hate for years and whose presence will GLAAD, Cooper and hosts Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott, and Sam Champion get their point across. If anyone can make people pay attention, it's Madonna. She takes no prisoners.

"From speaking out against bullying to raising support for marriage equality, Madonna has always been one of our community's strongest allies. We are honored to have her stand with GLAAD and Anderson Cooper," said Graddick.

Cooper will receive his award on March 16 in New York City.

News: Obama and Tiger, Shockwave, Djesus, Berlin

Only 11% of Americans think that Congress reflects the nation's values, according to right-wing polling site Rasmussen.

President Obama and Tiger Woods played golf together in Florida today.

Kendra Wilkinson versus Greg Louganis.

150,000 people went out to see the Pope deliver his final public mass.

New Mexico church has been fighting for marriage equality since 1984.

Rev. Bayani Rico and his gay son work side-by-side at an Episcopal school in California.

"Djesus Uncrossed"

Gay films were front and center at Berlin Film Festival: "The Alfred Bauer Prize for innovation, named for the founder of the Berlinale, went to perhaps the most eccentric film in the competition, the French Canadian director Denis Côté's 'Vic and Flo Saw a Bear,' a darkly comic and melodramatic lesbian love story. The Australian director Kim Mordaunt won the best first feature award for 'The Rocket.' And the Teddy Award for best gay-themed film went to the Polish director Malgoska Szumowska's 'In the Name of …,' about a Catholic priest struggling with his homosexuality."

RIP Mark Kamins: "Pioneering DJ and producer Mark Kamins, who was instrumental in facilitating the signing of Madonna to Sire Records in 1982, has died. He was 57."

Was Oscar Pistorius trying to revive slain girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp when police arrived at his home?

he Die Hard franchise is still box office gold. The fifth installment topped the weekend box office with an estimated $30 million in ticket sales.

An Illinois Catholic school will not give students extra credit for attending an anti-gay marriage rally. "A Notre Dame instructor in an ecclesiology class offered students 20 points extra credit if they attend the lobby day. The offer also included information on a bus trip, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, to the event. After much debate and attention, Principal Charlie Roy posted an update on the school's website Friday, stating the extra credit will not be offered to those students."

Baltimore firefighter accused of being a pimp on the side.

A Cameroonian lawyer vilified for defending gay and lesbians activists has fled to the United States and is seeking asylum: "The threats against Togue that began in Cameroon have not stopped on US soil, where he continues to be subjected to menacing phone calls and text messages. 'They say they are going to kidnap my children, that they'll turn them into queers. I feel very vulnerable,' he said. His family has been in the United States since November, and he joined them in January."

This is what progress looks like: "Colin Clark, who was suspended last season for directing a gay slur at a Seattle Sounders ball boy – and vehemently apologized afterward – on Saturday made clear his support of [gay player] Robbie Rogers."

The meteor that struck Russia Friday sent subsonic shockwaves around the world.