Taylor Swift to be honoured with prestigious ally award for her work fighting for LGBT equality
Taylor Swift said that criticism of her body affected her relationship with food. (Getty)
GLAAD is to honour Taylor Swift with an ally award, for her work fighting for LGBT+ equality.
In 2019 the singer broke from her long-held apolitical stance with a campaign for the Equality Act, a proposed law to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination in all 50 US states.
The petition – which attracted half a million signatures – was launched off the back of Swift’s pro-LGBT+ track ‘You Need to Calm Down’.
The music video for the track, which was co-executive produced by out singer Todrick Hall, was a celebration of queer culture – with cameos from Laverne Cox, the Queer Eye Fab Five, Billy Porter, RuPaul and Hayley Kiyoko – among many others.
Taylor Swift honoured with GLAAD Award.
Ahead of the GLAAD Media Awards on April 16, it was announced that Swift will be honoured with the Vanguard Award – which is awarded to allies who have made an impact in promoting LGBT+ acceptance.
Previous winners include Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Patricia Arquette and Jennifer Lopez.
Todrick Hall and Taylor Swift receive a ‘Video For Good’ award for onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Dimitrios Kambouris/VMN19/Getty Images for MTV)
Sarah Kate Ellis of GLAAD: “From boldly standing up against anti-LGBTQ elected officials to shining attention on the urgent need to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination through the Equality Act, Taylor Swift proudly uses her unique ability to influence pop culture to promote LGBTQ acceptance.
“In a time of political and cultural division, Taylor creates music that unites and calls on her massive fan following to speak up and call for change.”
Janet Mock also to be honoured by GLAAD.
Pose and The Politician director Janet Mock will also be honoured with the Stephen F Kolzak award, given to an LGBT+ person who has made an outstanding contribution to tackling prejudice in media.
Ellis added: “Janet Mock is a trailblazing force for diverse and inclusive storytelling who has raised the bar for LGBTQ representation in Hollywood.
“She tells stories that need to be told, including those of transgender people and people of color, in revolutionary and eye-opening ways that inspire and enrich.
“Her passion for inclusive storytelling, combined with her undeniable talents in writing, directing, and producing, will continue to create a Hollywood where voices and stories that have been left out of the conversation are placed front and centre where they belong.”
The full list of nominees will be announced on Wednesday.
