2010s

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Doctor of the University

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I was privileged to be awarded with an honorary Doctor of the University degree by Open University in Scotland. In my speech, I said, "The Open University has always represented a thirst for knowledge, a hunger to be educated. People who enrol with the OU so often do so in conjunction with working or raising kids, and so it's always seemed to me that anyone with an Open University degree has doubly triumphed: they have fought so hard and sacrificed so much to learn and better themselves. That’s why I’m so honoured to receive this degree.”

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Slightly Foxed Best First Biography Prize

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Not My Father's Son won the Best First Biography Award from Slightly Foxed! James Naughtie, from Radio 4's Today show, was one of the judges, said, “Alan Cumming’s Not My Father’s Son is a brilliant antidote to the celebrity memoir, because his story isn’t raw for the sake of it. The violence and mental distress of a broken family, and the strange dichotomy of his youth, are rendered with an eloquence and wit that set it apart. This is a real book.”

I had to send Jamie Byng, my publisher at Canongate, to accept the award on my behalf, but I did make this video which was played at the ceremony!

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Attitude Magazine Book of the Year Award

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Attitude Magazine in the UK named Not My Father's Son as their 2015 Book of the Year! When I spoke to them about it I said, "One of the great things I’ve realised since it came out is that it’s quite an inspiring story. People in situations they feel they may not be able to overcome can realise that it is always possible. It’s all about your own belief and using your moral compass.”

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ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS AWARD

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James Lescene presented me with the Absolute Brightness award after a performance of his play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. The award is given to 'a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self'. The first recipient was marriage equality pioneer and LGBT civil rights hero Edie Windsor

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Television Advocacy Award

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The Creative Coalition, TV Guide and TV Insider  honored me with a Television Advocacy Award for my work on behalf of charitable and social causes at the inaugural ceremony in LA the night before the Emmys.

My friend Monica Lewinsky gave it to me and made a beautiful speech. Also honored were Anthony Anderson, Neal Baer, Beth Behrs, Laverne Cox, Eva Longoria, Tim Robbins, Jeffrey Tambor, Alfre Woodard and Constance Zimmer.