April 19 (UPI) — The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is set to honor Debra Messing with the Excellence in Media Award at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“A steadfast supporter of the LGBTQ community on social media, Messing is a voice not only on LGBTQ issues, but against discrimination of any kind,” the organization said of the actress in a statement.
“Messing has consistently shown commitment to LGBTQ youth, participating in Spirit Day, GLAAD’s annual anti-bullying campaign, by ‘going purple’ in October for LGBTQ youth,” they continued.
“Debra Messing is a champion of the LGBTQ community and many marginalized groups today,” added GLAAD CEO and president Sarah Kate Ellis. “Through laughter, warmth and pure heart both on and off-screen, she accelerates acceptance and inspires everyone to raise their own voices.”
The award is given to those who have promoted equality and acceptance of LGBTQ people. The “Will & Grace” star joins a list of previous recipients that includes Robert De Niro, Russell Simmons, Kelly Ripa, Patti LaBelle, Tyra Banks, Julianne Moore, Glenn Close, Barbara Walters, Bob and Harvey Weinstein and Diane Sawyer.
The GLAAD Media Awards takes place May 6 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event, hosted by Ross Matthews, will include special guests Whoopi Goldberg, Don Lemon, Rami Malek, Janet Mock, Trevor Noah, Christian Slater and Survivor’s Zeke Smith who was recently outed on the reality series as transgender.
Messing will be returning to her role as Grace Adler from “Will & Grace” as part of a recently announced 12 episode revival series on NBC.
