Demi Lovato has been a longtime ally and supporter of LGBT rights, and this spring, she'll earn recognition for her outstanding work. The Disney star-tuned-pop singer is set to receive the Vanguard Award at the upcoming 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards.
The Vanguard Award is the highest honor of the awards ceremony and is reserved for media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ community, GLAAD announced in a press release. Past recipients of the award include actresses Jennifer Lopez, Kerry Washington and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as pop star Janet Jackson.
Lovato has been open about her acceptance and love for her late grandfather, who came out as gay in the 1960s, and said that he has inspired her to "speak out and stand up for what I believe in." She's also attended LGBT pride events in New York and filmed the music video for her 2013 hit "Really Don't Care" at Los Angeles Pride.
Also that year, Lovato portrayed a lesbian character who was the love interest of Naya Rivera's character Santana Lopez on Fox's hit TV series "Glee." She said her hoped to "inspire people with my character to love who they are and accept who they are."
The "Confident" singer has also worked as an ambassador for GLAAD's Spirit Day, an annual anti-bullying campaign, and her support goes beyond the American LGBT community. While in Latin America on a world tour, Lovato recorded a video message for Todo Mejora Chile, an international affiliate of the It Gets Better project, which offers support and resources to LGBT youth struggling with homophobic and transphobic bullying.
"Demi Lovato has consistently used her platform as a successful artist to send messages of acceptance and support to LGBT people everywhere," GLAAD President & 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."
The 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place on April 2 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. For the first time in almost a decade, the ceremony will be televised in a one-hour special, which will air on Monday, April 4, at 10 p.m. exclusively on Logo.
