GLAAD Media Awards: Wilson Cruz Receives Vito Russo Award for LGBTQ Advocacy

Star Trek: Discovery Actor and activist Wilson Cruz will receive the Vito Russo Award at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York next month.

Named Vito Rousseau, a late activist who co-founded GLAAD, the award will be presented to an individual who has significantly accelerated LGBTQ adoption. In 1994, Cruz became the first openly gay actor to play an openly gay role on network television when he played Ricky Vasquez on ABC. my course. Included in your credits ER, Gray Anatomy, Party of Five, Shameless s 13 reasons.

“When books are written about actors coming out, Wilson Cruz is on the cover,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD. “Wilson has dedicated his life and career to breaking down barriers for Latino and LGBTQ actors, not only entertaining viewers as a triple threat, but also teaching the world about LGBTQ people and issues. “It raises the bar for how actors can and should play social justice roles, always loudly using LGBTQ people and accepting of people of color and Latino.”

Past winners of the Vito Russo Award are Billy Porter, Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Rosie O’Donnell and Samira Willie.

The GLAAD Media Awards, which recognize the fairest, most accurate and inclusive portrayals of LGBTQ people and issues, will take place at the Hilton Midtown on May 6 and will be presented by Peloton Instructor Code Rigsby and Recorder, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Race alum mint.

Dove Cameron will open the ceremony with a performance of her new single “Boyfriend”. As previously announced, the event will be previewed west side history Star and Oscar winner Ariana Deboz will present Judy Light with the award for best media.

Special guests at the event will be Lavern Cox, Cynthia Nixon and Amber Tamblin.