Emmy-nominated journalist Thomas Roberts will be honored at the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City, it was announced today.
Roberts will be presented with the Vito Russo Award – named after one of GLAAD's founders - which is presented to out LGBT media professionals who has made a significant impact in promoting equality for the LGBT community.
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. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community and issues that build support for equality.
Throughout his career, Roberts has tirelessly advocated for LGBT equality, acceptance, and inclusion by highlighting LGBT issues, and often bringing public attention to LGBT stories that mainstream news outlets tend to overlook.
Through MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts, Roberts has featured stories about LGBT communities in the south, LGBT athletes, marriage equality, bullying/discrimination, and the transgender community.
Thomas Roberts also proved to be a strong supporter of GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign Spirit Day, even hosting a twitter chat with GLAAD CEO and President, Sarah Kate Ellis, where he voiced his advocacy for equality, answered questions, and gave advice to struggling LGBT youth.
.@SeanInNC@msnbc@sarahkateellis Awareness is #1 +Parents need 2talk w/their kids & kids need 2have adults they can trust &b honest with
— Thomas Roberts (@ThomasARoberts) October 16, 2014
.@fanyoverhere@sarahkateellis Electing leaders who believe LGBT rights matter step #1 -equality &justice - it all matters #SpiritDay#vote
— Thomas Roberts (@ThomasARoberts) October 16, 2014
.@Lidawaslike@sarahkateellis See something, Say something! We all lead by example, treat others fairly &kind -how you'd want to b treated!
— Thomas Roberts (@ThomasARoberts) October 16, 2014
THX @sarahkateellis@glaad@msnbc& GREAT questions! #SpiritDay#LGBT kids stay strong! U have GRT role models&people who LOVE u #prideNBCU
— Thomas Roberts (@ThomasARoberts) October 16, 2014
In 2013, Roberts hosted the 62nd Annual Miss Universe Competition in Moscow, Russia, where he spoke out against the nation's brutal anti-LGBT laws, saying “I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay. Let people see I am no different than anyone else.”
Roberts also made history with OUT@NBCUniversal, an LGBT and ally employee group that became the first organization to march under an LGBT banner in New York's St Patrick's Day Parade.
His advocacy has earned him several previous GLAAD Award nominations, and an "Outstanding TV Journalism Segment" award at last year's Media Awards.
GLAAD CEO and president, Sarah Kate Ellis, says of him, "Thomas Roberts isn't afraid to put a spotlight on injustices faced by LGBT people that all too often go unreported." She adds, "As a journalist and anchor with a widespread audience, he bring stories to national attention, leading the conversation and accelerating acceptance of the LGBT community."
The GLAAD Media Awards in New York will be hosted by Ross Matthews, other guests include Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Jonathan Groff, Laverne Cox, Tituss Burgess, Jason Collins, GLAAD National Spokesperson Omar Sharif Jr., GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, and others.
The GLAAD Media Awards will be held on May 9, 2015 at the Waldorf Astoria. For more information about the New York GLAAD Media Awards, visit here.