TV icon and LGBT advocate George Takei will be honored at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York at the Waldorf Astoria New York on May 3 where he will receive the Vito Russo Award, it was announced today. Global superstar Kylie Minogue will perform at the show.
Tickets are available now. Sign up to watch the red carpet live Saturday, May 3 at glaad.org/mediaawards.
Takei will receive GLAAD's Vito Russo Award, which is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality. Previous Vito Russo honorees include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Rosie O'Donnell, Alan Cumming, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Elton John, k.d. lang, and Tom Ford.
Over his career, the actor, advocate, social media star and author has remained one of the most outspoken LGBT voices in Hollywood. Since coming out in 2005, he has spoken out on issues including marriage equality, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), so-called "ex-gay therapy" and more. He has worked closely with GLAAD to bring equality to the Boy Scouts and supported GLAAD's Spirit Day campaign to show support for LGBT youth and end anti-LGBT bullying. To Be Takei, a documentary about Takei's life and career, premiered at Sundance in January and is scheduled for a theatrical release this summer.
"Few voices have been as outspoken in support of equality as George Takei," said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "George has consistently used his platform to move the cultural needle on issues like marriage equality, LGBT employment protections, anti-LGBT bullying, and more."
Minogue has been a longtime supporter of LGBT equality and has included images of LGBT people in her music videos, including for the song "All the Lovers." Minogue has performed at LGBT venues across the world, including London's famed G-A-Y nightclub and New York City's Splash Bar. Additionally, Minogue has headlined LGBT pride events like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration.
Additional special guests for the New York event include: Laverne Cox, Laura Prepon, Samira Wiley (Orange is the New Black); Robin Weigert, Stacie Passon (Concussion); Candis Cayne (Elementary); Dennis Starr, Joan Koplan, Irwin Koplan, Christa Stephens (Small Town Security); GLAAD National Spokespersons, Wilson Cruz and Omar Sharif, Jr., and GLAAD CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis. Additional presenters, and LGBT advocates will be announced.
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. They also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality. Each year, the GLAAD Media Awards in New York and Los Angeles bring together more than 3,000 advocates and allies to raise critical funds for the organization's work.
To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag #glaadawards.
