Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California, will receive the Golden Gate Award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle first reported today. Newsom will be presented with the award by his wife, filmmaker Jennifer Lynn Siebel, on May 11 at the Hilton San Francisco – Union Square.
Take a look at the nominees and get your tickets here.
For more than a decade, Newsom has been a leading figure in advocating for marriage equality both in California and at the federal level. In 2004, shortly after being elected Mayor of San Francisco, Newsom directed the city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of a state law banning same-sex couples from marrying. He went on to grant marriage licenses to thousands of gay and lesbian couples, including longtime LGBT advocates Phyllis Lyon and the late Del Martin, who were in a committed relationship for more than 50 years.
In 2010, Newsom was elected the 49th Lieutenant Governor of the State of California, where he went on to speak out against Proposition 8 and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Just recently, he attended the Supreme Court’s oral arguments on the Proposition 8 case, where he continued to voice his support for the LGBT community.
"Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom has never shied from using the platform he was given to speak out on behalf of the LGBT community and advocate for policies that move equality forward for LGBT people," said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. "At a time when more and more elected officials are siding with equality for gay and lesbian couples, GLAAD is honored to recognize Lt. Governor Newsom for his trailblazing actions and commitment to equality."
The Golden Gate Award is presented to those who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Previous Golden Gate honorees include Shonda Rhimes, James Schamus, Stockard Channing, and Cybill Shepherd.
Additonal honors to be presented on May 11 at the Hilton San Francisco – Union Square include Adam Lambert who will receive the Davidson/Valentini Award and the San Francisco Giants will receive the Corporate Leader Award. Additional awards were presented in New York on March 16 and in Los Angeles on April 20.
The 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and presented locally in San Francisco by Southwest Airlines.
For ticket information visit: www.glaad.org/mediaawards
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