Wilson Cruz to Receive GLAAD's Vito Russo Award for His Work

Actor Wilson Cruz is set to be honored at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York.

The May 6 event, to be hosted by Cody Rigsby and Peppermint, is the 33rd annual celebration meant to honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ + people and issues. Cruz, who has had a long career on-screen and has often been involved with activism offscreen, will be given the Vito Russo Award.

The Vito Russo Award is presented to a "media professional who has made a significant difference in accelerating LGBTQ acceptance," according to GLAAD. This year, Cruz starred in Star Trek: Discovery as part of an ensemble cast with many LGBTQ+ actors and roles.

"When books are written about actors coming out, Wilson Cruz belongs on the front cover," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a release. "Wilson has dedicated his life and career to breaking down walls for LGBTQ and Latinx actors and has not only entertained audiences as a triple threat, but educated the world about LGBTQ people and issues. He raises the bar for how actors can and should play roles in social justice by always using his voice loudly to demand acceptance of LGBTQ people and Black and Latinx communities."

Others who have been honored with the award, named after celebrated ACT UP activist and GLAAD founder Vito Russo, include Andy Cohen, Cynthia Nixon, RuPaul, Billy Porter, Anderson Cooper, and Ricky Martin.