GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced April 26 that Tony winner Billy Porter will be honored with the Vito Russo Award at the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The ceremony will be held May 6 in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown.

The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly LGBTQ media professional who has “made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance.” Previous recipients include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, George Takei, Cynthia Nixon, Rosie O’Donnell, RuPaul, Tom Ford, Thomas Roberts, Suze Orman, and Alan Cumming.

“Billy Porter is a trailblazer who has helped move inclusion forward for marginalized communities in theatre and music communities,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president & CEO of GLAAD, in a statement. “Whether advancing acceptance on the stage or off, he sends unabashed messages of pride to LGBTQ youth and out performers around the world.”

GLAAD previously announced that Debra Messing will receive the Excellence in Media Award for “outspoken support of LGBTQ people and against discrimination.” Television host Ross Mathews will host the event for the fourth time, with presenters and special guests scheduled to include Whoopi Goldberg, Don Lemon, Rami Malek, Janet Mock, Trevor Noah, Zachary Quinto, Christian Slater, and Zeke Smith. Multi-platinum selling band DNCE will open the show.

The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.

Porter is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer, actor, playwright, and director. Most recently, he released the album Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers.

For more information visit GLAAD.org.

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