Lena Waithe and Greg Berlanti are set to be recognized for their respective efforts in helping to move the cultural needle on LGBTQ representation.
The queer Hollywood heavyweights will both accept The Trevor Project’s Hero Award at the 2018 TrevorLIVE gala in New York on June 11. Also set to be honored at the ceremony is Dominic Barton, managing partner of the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, who will receive the 20/20 Visionary Award.
Collectively, Barton, Berlanti and Waithe “have each made an unprecedented positive impact on the lives of young LGBTQ people in the last year,” Amit Paley, The Trevor Project’s CEO and executive director, said in a press release. “We’re incredibly excited to honor them for their commitment to fostering an accepting environment for LGBTQ youth through their innovative work and leadership at TrevorLIVE New York as we join together to continue The Trevor Project’s important and life-saving work.”
It’s the latest in a series of accolades for Waithe, best known for her work on the smash shows “Master of None” and “The Chi.” In September, the actress, producer and screenwriter made Emmys history as the first black woman to win for comedy writing. She also graced the April cover of Vanity Fair, the first issue under the magazine’s new editor, Radhika Jones.
Being recognized by The Trevor Project, which is focused on LGBTQ youth suicide prevention, is “one of the greatest honors of my life,” Waithe said in a press release.
“The work that they do is invaluable to the community, and I hope to continue to do work that is worthy of this honor,” she added.
Berlanti, meanwhile, is coming off the success of “Love, Simon.” The film, which Berlanti directed, earned near-universal praise from critics and fans as Hollywood’s first mainstream coming-of-age comedy to center on a gay teen.
He said in a press release that he had “immense admiration” for The Trevor Project as well as the organization’s “ongoing efforts to provide a safe place for the LGBTQ community and youth in need.”
