Each year, the GLAAD Media Awards honors the art, artists and media that have shown outstanding support for the LGBTQ community. While the nominees span film, music, journalism, and more, the LGBTQ advocacy organization reserves its Vanguard Award for an individual who has gone above and beyond for the community. This year, that honoree is GRAMMY winner Britney Spears.
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Her advocacy for the LGBTQ community has included a 2015 Sprit Day video, in which the singer/songwriter committed to wearing purple to take a stand against bullying, including the chance for a fan to win a meet-and-greet. She lent her voice to the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting tribute song, "Hands," joining Selena Gomez, Pink, Troye Sivan, and Halsey, among others. Spears also spoke out against two anti-transgender laws in Texas in 2017.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Honored to be receiving the Vanguard Award at the <a href="https://twitter.com/glaad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GLAAD</a> Media Awards this year! The LGBTQ community means the absolute world to me and inspires me every day. I am proud to be an ally and I will continue to support equality and acceptance for all!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GLAADAwards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GLAADAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/iInKolgW61">pic.twitter.com/iInKolgW61</a></p>— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) <a href="https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/963451350049804288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Spears will be recognized at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 12 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Awards will also be given out in a variety of categories, including this year's music nominees: Miley Cyrus, Halsey, Honey Dijon, Kehlani, Kelela, Kesha, Perfume Genius, Sam Smith, St. Vincent, and Wrabel. Jay-Z's song "Smile" from his Album Of The Year GRAMMY-nominated project 4:44, in which his mother came out as a lesbian, will also receive special recognition during the awards ceremony.
"An irrefutable icon, Britney Spears has entertained the world while also embodying the spirit of GLAAD's Vanguard Award by speaking out on significant issues that face her fans — from the Dream Act to anti-transgender bills in Texas," said Sarah Kate Ellis, President/CEO of GLAAD. "She is a force in the music world who has used her global platform to share messages of love and acceptance, something that the world needs today more than ever."
