MediaPunch / BACKGRID
There is a “Blank Space” on Taylor Swift‘s trophy shelf and we have the perfect idea for what should go there: GLAAD Media’s Vanguard Award.
On Tuesday, GLAAD revealed the singer will be honored with the Vanguard Award at the 31st annual show on Thurs., April 16. “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,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “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.”
Many fans are familiar with her song and the music video for “You Need to Calm Down,” which champions for equality and features LGBTQ stars. What most people don’t know, is the singer wrote to the senator of Tennessee calling on him to support the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, and other public accommodations.
Plus, she asked her millions of fans to sign a petition in support of the bill, thus making a major impact on its passage through the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, it’s still waiting a vote in the majority-Republican Senate, led by Mitch McConnell.
And she put her money where her mouth is when she donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project, a Nashville-based group working to defeat six anti-LGBTQ bills. At the time of her donation she wrote to the organization, “I’m writing you to say that I’m so inspired by the work you do, specifically in organizing the recent petition of Tennessee faith leaders standing up against the ‘Slate of Hate’ in our state legislature.”
All in all, her track record proves she more than deserves recognition for her contribution in bringing more equality.
Taylor will be recognized alongside Janet Mock, who is receiving the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.