Beyonce and Jay-Z are no stranger to accolades, but their latest honor may be one of the most important salutes they’ve received yet.
For, it’s been announced that music’s first couple will be presented with the Vanguard award at the 30th annual GLAAD Media Awards later this month.
Details below…
The power pair will be celebrated for being allies who’ve have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people.
They join a potent list of previous honorees that include Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Whoopi Goldberg, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor.
Organizers for the ceremony, which takes place on March 28th at the Beverly Hilton in LA, tout the couple’s practice of using their global platforms to share messages that inspire and change the world for the better.
In Bey’s case, she has spoken out against laws that would discriminate against LGBTQ people in states including North Carolina and celebrated the passage of marriage equality nationwide, saying that “everyone has the right to love who they love.” She has also spoken out loudly for LGBTQ youth and told her followers on social media that “LGBTQ students need to know we support them.”
Queen Bey has included LGBTQ people and couples in videos for ‘Formation’ and ‘All Night’ and notably dedicated her performance of ‘Halo’ to the victims and survivors of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting during ‘The Formation World Tour.’ Elsewhere, Ivy Park, her athleisure clothing line, proudly showcased transgender actress Laverne Cox as one of the featured faces in one of the brand’s biggest promos to date.
Jay, a pilar of the Hip-Hop community, has over the last few years become increasingly vocal about his belief in LGBTQ equality.
He also received the GLAAD Special Recognition Award in 2018 for his song and music video, ‘Smile,’ which featured his mother Gloria Carter coming out as a lesbian.
Speaking in a statement, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said:
“Beyoncé and Jay-Z are global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people. When Beyoncé and JAY-Z speak, the world becomes inspired and when it comes to LGBTQ people, their voices of acceptance have been heard loud and clear. We could not be prouder to stand with them to send a message of love during the biggest LGBTQ event in the world and to honor their work to bend the arc of justice forward for LGBTQ people, people of color, and marginalized communities everywhere.”
Much deserved! Congrats!