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Gay News: Ricky Martin is to be honoured for his work encouraging equal rights for gay people.
Ricky Martin came out last year
Ricky Martin to get gay honour
The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer, who came out last year, will be presented with the Vito Russo award by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) at its Media Awards ceremony in New York next month.
President of GLAAD, Jarrett Barrios, said that Martin’s coming out last year as a "fortunate homosexual man"” was a “game changer” for many gay and transgender Latino children who had no gay role models to look up to.
He went on to say: “Through his music, videos and interviews, Ricky has sent an important message that our community wants the same things all people do: an equal chance to raise our families and take care of our loved ones.”
Kristin Chenoweth, who plays April Rhodes in Glee, is also to be honoured for her work in promoting better understanding, after last year defending gay actors’ ability to play heterosexual roles.
“When allies like Kristin take such powerful stands against anti-gay sentiments in the media, it sends an important message of equality,” said Barrios."It is a privilege to honour such a talented and conscientious advocate for fairness towards the LGBT community."
She will receive the Vanguard award at a ceremony in Los Angeles in April.
