Judith Light has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award. The “Transparent” star is being recognized for her “advocacy to end HIV/AIDS and her support for LGBTQ+ and human rights.”
Presented annually to a “member of the theater community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service, or charitable organizations,” the award’s previous recipients include Eve Ensler, Bernadette Peters, and Rosie O’Donnell.
“To be so generously acknowledged by The American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, and the Tony Awards, and to be included with these outstanding individuals who have received this honor before me, has been one of the most extraordinary gifts I have ever received in my life,” said Light, who is a two-time Tony winner. “The HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities are inspirations and demonstrations of how to be and live in the world; courageous, honorable, and uplifting. They inspire me and it is my privilege to be of service to them. I am humbled by this recognition from my theater family, whom I so respect, honor, and love.”
“Since the early days of the AIDS pandemic, Light has reacted to the divisive response towards the LGTBQ+ community by speaking out and aligning herself with numerous organizations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, GLAAD, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, Project Angel Food, Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others,” an announcement from the Tony Awards details.
Light’s decades of activism have seen her speaking at the LGBT March in Washington in 1990, riding her bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the California AIDS Ride to support HIV/AIDS Programs for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 1995, and traveling to South Africa for the AIDS walk to raise awareness for on-the-ground care in South Africa and research in the United States in 2002. The 1997 winner of the GLAAD Media Awards’ Vision Award also sits on the honorary board of Point Foundation, the National LGBTQ+ Scholarship Fund.
“Judith is one of the most beloved members of our theater community,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, in a statement. “Her talent is as big as her heart and spirit – and her tireless commitment to HIV/AIDS organizations and to the LGBTQ community, are unparalleled. We are honored to salute Judith at this year’s Tony Awards!”
“Queen America” and “American Crime Story” are among Light’s recent screen credits. Her stage credits include “All the Ways to Say I Love You,” “Thérèse Raquin,” and “Lombardi.”
The musical series finale of “Transparent” is slated to stream on Amazon Prime this fall.
The 73rd edition of the Tony Awards will air June 9 on CBS. Nominations will be announced April 30.
