GLAAD to present Demi Lovato with Vanguard Award
Demi Lovato has been tapped to receive one of GLAAD's highest honors.
The singer-songwriter-actress-philanthropist has been tapped to receive the watchdog group's Vanguard Award, presented to media professionals who have made a difference in promoting equality and acceptance.
Lovato will be honored April 2 during GLAAD's Los Angeles media awards ceremony, which, for the first time in a decade, will be televised on Logo in a one-hour special on Monday, April 4 at 10 p.m.
Lovato joins previous Vanguard honorees including Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Kristin Chenoweth, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Jackson and more. During her career, Lovato has publicly celebrated her late gay grandfather, who came out in the 1960s and whose courage she cites as a driving force propelling her to speak out and stand up for what she believes in. She filmed the music video for single "Really Don't Care" at an LGBT pride event and included strong messages of support for LGBT people. In 2013, Lovato played a lesbian character on Fox's Glee, and noted she hoped to "inspire people with my character to love who they are and accept who they are."
See photos of Demi Lovato through the years:
Lovato is also a former GLAAD ambassador for the group's anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day, and recorded a message for LGBT fans in Latin America offering support and urging bullying victims to use local resources.
"Demi Lovato has consistently used her platform as a successful artist to send messages of acceptance and support to LGBT people everywhere," GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. "She is an extraordinary ally who is committed to helping young people embrace who they are and live the lives they love."
Additional honorees will be announced later.