The Wicked star will be honored at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
The LGBTQ media advocacy organization announced that Cynthia Erivo will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on March 27.
Erivo is also nominated for the Academy Award for lead actress for her performance as Elphaba in the musical Wicked, and will perform at the ceremony with her co-star and fellow nominee for supporting actress, Ariana Grande.
The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is given to an LGBTQ media professional who has significantly contributed to raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and issues. The award is named after the late Los Angeles casting director Stephen F. Kolzak, who dedicated the latter part of his life to combating homophobia and HIV stigma in the entertainment industry.
Past recipients of the award include Niecy Nash-Betts, Jeremy Pope, Laverne Cox, Wanda Sykes, Jim Parsons, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Melissa Etheridge, Ellen DeGeneres, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.
“From an outspoken ally to a trailblazing member of the community, Cynthia Erivo’s one-of-a-kind voice has been an integral part of accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people since she came on the scene over a decade ago,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Her legacy is defined not by her numerous accolades and honors but by how with each new platform and milestone, she continues to show up for Black, queer, and other marginalized peoples amid her well-deserved success.”
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize outstanding representations of LGBTQ individuals in media and support the organization’s year-round efforts to advance LGBTQ acceptance and visibility.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis will serve as executive producer of this year’s ceremony alongside GLAAD’s Rich Ferraro and Anthony Allen Ramos. Tony Morrison will act as supervising producer, with Jose Useche as producer. The event is produced in partnership with STAMP Event Co.
For more information, visit GLAAD.org.
