GLSEN To Honor Marcia Gay Harden

GLSEN has announced it will honor Oscar-winning actress & LGBTQ activist Marcia Gay Harden with the Advocate Award at the org's annual Respect Awards at New York’s Gotham Hall next Monday April 29th. The evening will be hosted by Peppermint known for her work on RuPaul's Drag Race with special appearances by Billy Porter, Anthony Rapp & GLSEN Board Chair Wilson Cruz. Harden stated, “I am deeply grateful to receive such an honor from GLSEN. I owe this award to my children, who drive me every day to be a public force for change. In watching them bloom into the vibrant individuals they have become, I have gained a redefined perspective on my own life. GLSEN’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ students comes at a crucial time when our LGBTQ+ children are under attack. We must now advocate for their freedom to form their own identities & perspectives, which must be cultivated with utmost care.” Additionally GLSEN’s Respect Award honorees will include community leader & activist Brad Baumoel with the Movement Leader Award, Republic Records will be honored with the Visibility Award & Student Advocate of the Year is Sophia T. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers GLSEN Executive Director concluded, “The Respect Awards is not just one of GLSEN’s most important fundraising events of the year but the opportunity to uplift honorees & supporters who reflect GLSEN’s commitment to advancing racial, gender & disability justice for all LGBTQ+ students.” The annual benefit raises critical funds for GLSEN’s student programs such as the Rainbow Library which provides LGBTQ affirming texts to students experiencing book bans.

For More Info & Tix…