November 8, 2011
History of the Genesis Awards
Since its 1986 launch, this unique event has celebrated the major media
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Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi won The Wyler Award at The 23rd Genesis Awards. Tim Long/Long Photography
How it began
In 1986, The Genesis Awards event was launched by animal advocate and actress Gretchen Wyler, under the aegis of The Fund For Animals. Wyler came up with the idea because she strongly believed that rewarding members of the media encouraged them to highlight more animal issues, thus increasing public awareness and compassion toward animals. The first annual event - a luncheon drawing only 140 attendees - quickly grew into a large gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., with more than 1,000 guests.
In 1991, Wyler founded The Ark Trust, Inc., which continued to present the Genesis Awards. In 1990, the event was broadcast as a television special, first on the Discovery Channel and then on Animal Planet. In August 2002, The Ark Trust joined forces with The HSUS, changing its name to the Hollywood office of The HSUS. Wyler, as vice president of the HSUS Hollywood office, continued her role as chairperson of the event and executive producer of The Genesis Awards Television Special until her 2006 retirement. Wyler passed away in 2007.
Who wins
Genesis Awards entries are submitted by the public as well as by media professionals. Categories span television, film, print, radio, music, and the arts. The Genesis Awards Committee - via a process of submission, nomination, candidate selection, debate, and secret ballot - makes all final decisions regarding the winners.
The voting committee members have been selected because of their personal histories in working for the animals. They include people from various animal-protection organizations and media backgrounds, who all share a demonstrated commitment to the animal cause.
The big event
Genesis Awards are presented annually at a star-studded ceremony drawing representatives from the media, entertainment industry, social, business and humane communities. Recognized as the nation's premier consciousness-raiser of animal issues, the event has attracted a host of celebrities, including Christian Bale, Pierce Brosnan, James Cromwell, Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Deschanel, Zooey Deschanel, Kelsey Grammer, Daryl Hannah, William Shatner, Bill Maher, Wendie Malick, Sidney Poitier, Teri Hatcher, Martin Sheen, and Alicia Silverstone.
The taped event is edited to become the Genesis Awards Television Special, airing nationwide and exposing millions of viewers to animal wrongs - and animal rights.
What you can do
Our members can play a part in the Genesis Awards: if you've seen any animal-friendly storylines, no matter how small, in a television show or film, please contact us.
The 26th Genesis Awards will take place on March 24, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Learn about The 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards.