The Human Rights Campaign has announced that it will honor Meryl Streep for the organization’s Ally for Equality Award at the 2017 HRC Greater New York Gala, Broadway World reports.
The HRC Ally for Equality Award “recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who use their voice and publicly stand-up for the LGBTQ community. These individuals dedicate their time, energy, spirit, and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBTQ people. The award is given to allies outside of the LGBTQ community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans.”
“Throughout her phenomenal career, Meryl Streep has used her voice to stand up for the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Whether through her iconic roles that raised the visibility of LGBTQ people, or by boldly speaking out for equality, Meryl Streep embodies the very nature of what it means to be an ally to our community. We are thrilled to welcome Meryl Streep to the 2017 HRC Greater New York Gala and look forward to honoring her with the HRC Ally for Equality Award.”
An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, Streep has said in the past, “I just can’t remember when LGBT people were not in my life.” She has noted that HBO’s LGBTQ-centric miniseries “Angels in America” as one of the most important projects of her life.
Among her many honors, Streep has won three Academy Awards and has been nominated for 19, with a possible 20th coming in early 2017 for her recent lead role in “Florence Foster Jenkins.” Recently, she was nominated for her 30th Golden Globe Award, and she will be honored with the Cecil B. deMille Award at the 74th Golden Globes.
The 2017 HRC Greater New York Gala takes place on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
