Cynthia Erivo Dedicates Emotional GLAAD Performance to Pulse Victims

The 28th Annual GLAAD Awards in Los Angeles aired last night on Logo, celebrating Troye Sivan's historic win, recognizing lives lost in the face of anti-LGBTQ hate and highlighting intersectionality throughout the queer community.

Related | Los Angeles' 28th Annual GLAAD Awards Celebrated Intersectionality

Tony Award-winning Cynthia Erivo performed during the ceremony, covering John Lennon's "Imagine" to honor the 49 lives lost in the Orlando Pulse nightclub attack, as well as transgender women who've been murdered in hate crimes. In 2017, alone, there have been eight murders on record of trans women, putting this year on track to be the deadliest in history.

Related | 8 Trans Women of Color Have Been Murdered in 2017

Jussie Smollett, who introduced Erivo's emotional performance, called for a moment of noise to stand up against hate and violence. "Orlando was not just a tragedy, it was a wake-up call," Smollett said. "We are not safe. We are not accepted. Our lives are in danger. We must end the hate that is spreading, from the senseless killings in Orlando, to the bathroom bill in Texas, to the streets of New Orleans and other cities where eight trans women have been murdered so far this year."

Related | Jussie Smollett Sends Powerful Message to Trump With New Political 'F.U.W.' Video

Their tribute was part of GLAAD's "&" together movement, which encourages LGBTQ people and allies to wear the ampersand symbol as a declaration that you stand with all communities subject to discrimination, including women, Muslims, immigrants and LGBTQ people. Click here to support the movement and watch Erivo's powerful performance, below.