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Jennifer Lopez to be honoured with Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality award

Sep 20 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has announced that Jenifer Lopez will be honoured with the 2013 Ally for Equality Award.

The HRC, the biggest LGBT civil rights organisation in the US, announced today that JLo would receive the award at its now sold-out National Dinner on 5 October in Washington DC.

“Jennifer Lopez embodies the spirit of an ally to the LGBT community and we are thrilled to present her the Ally for Equality at our National Dinner in October,” said HRC president Chad Griffin. “We recognize Jennifer for her talent, style, compassion, philanthropy and generosity, but foremost for her public commitment to LGBT equality.”

The Ally for Equality Award recognises the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. This award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans.

The singer and actress has been a vocal supporter of the LGBT community, and has raised money for HIV and AIDS research, and for anti-bullying and anti-violence services.

She currently serves as executive producer of ABC Family’s hit series The Fosters, which features a biracial lesbian couple raising their mix of adopted, fostered, and biological children.

The pilot for the drama was targeted by anti-LGBT group One Million Moms, which slammed the show as “anti-family”, and said they would do everything they could to stop it “dead in its tracks”.

The programme saw a massive surge in ratings for its second episode back in June, despite conservative groups protesting against it airing.

“Even facing pressure from anti-LGBT groups, Jennifer stands her ground as a strident equality supporter,” Griffin continued. “Throughout her career, Jennifer Lopez has always stood for fairness, justice and equality, and that’s what being an ally is all about.”

The HRC National Dinner, which is expected to draw 3,400 guests, will be held the evening of Saturday, 5 October at theWashington Convention Center. Also in attendance will be the plaintiffs and attorneys from the historic Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases before the US Supreme Court earlier this year. This will be the first time all five plaintiffs will be together in the same room. Chart-topping singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles will also be there to perform her hit song, “Brave.”