Demi Lovato to be honored at 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles

Los Angeles – GLAAD, the world’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, announced today it will honor multi-platinum selling recording artist Demi Lovato at the 27^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on April 2, 2016.

The 27^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community and issues that build support for equality and acceptance.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the GLAAD Media Awards will be televised exclusively on Logo in a one-hour special premiering Monday, April 4 at 10PM ET/PT.

Lovato will receive GLAAD's Vanguard Award, which is presented to media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance. Previous Vanguard Award honorees include Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Kristin Chenoweth, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Janet Jackson, and Sharon Stone.

Demi Lovato is a singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. The multi-platinum selling recording artist has tirelessly spoken out in support of full acceptance for LGBT people. Lovato has publicly celebrated her late gay grandfather, who came out in the 1960s, and whose courage she cites as a driving force compelling her to “speak out and stand up for what I believe in.”  Having previously participated in LGBT pride celebrations in Los Angeles and New York, her music video for "Really Don't Care,” the platinum single from her fourth album Demi, was also filmed at L.A. Pride and included strong messages of acceptance for LGBT people. In 2013, Lovato brought to life a lesbian character on FOX's hit show Glee, and noted she hoped to “inspire people with my character to love who they are and accept who they are.”  

An advocate for young people everywhere, Lovato has also consistently shown her commitment to LGBT youth. She participated as an ambassador for GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day, wearing purple to show her support for LGBT youth. During a world tour, Lovato recorded a message for LGBT fans in Latin America, offering support and urging bullying victims to use the resources of Todo Mejora, the It Gets Better Project's Chilean affiliate.

Most recently, Demi released her new single, the emotional ballad “Stone Cold,” off her highly successful current album CONFIDENT (Hollywood Records/island Records/Safehouse Records).  This summer, she will hit the road with Nick Jonas on Future Now: The Tour.  In addition, she is executive producing the music score, and starring as the female lead in the upcoming animated theatrical feature film Charming; and voicing Smurfette in the upcoming animated film Get Smurfy. In honor of her late father, she launched The Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program, which helps cover treatment costs for those struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues. 

“Demi Lovato has consistently used her platform as a successful artist to send messages of acceptance and support to LGBT people everywhere,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “She is an extraordinary ally who is committed to helping young people embrace who they are and live the lives they love.”

Additional special guests and honorees for the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles will be announced.

In January, GLAAD announced 101 nominees in 20 English-language categories and 46 Spanish-language nominees in 11 categories. Nominees for the 27^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards can be found here: /mediaawards/nominees.

To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag #glaadawards. The New York GLAAD Media Awards ceremony will take place May 14 at the Waldorf Astoria New York.

The 27^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards corporate partners include Presenting partners Delta Air Lines, Hilton, Ketel One Vodka, and Wells Fargo. GLAAD is also grateful to: Titanium partner Southwest Airlines; Platinum partners Allstate Insurance Company, AT&T, Disney ABC Television Group, Comcast NBC Universal/Telemundo, ESPN, Facebook, NBA/WNBA, PwC, Sheppard Mullin, Time Warner, and Viacom; Gold partners Nielsen, Omnicom Group, Univision, Westfield, and Silver partners Citi, Coca-Cola, MLB, NFL, U.S. Bank, Skadden, and Starz. For a full list of corporate partners and information on how to become a corporate partner, purchase tickets, and place a tribute in the tribute book, please visit /mediaawards.