George Takei To Be Honored At Gay Awards; Kylie Minogue To Perform

Actor George Takei will be honored at the 25^th annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Takei will receive the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD) Vito Russo Award in New York City on Saturday, May 3.

The award honors an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference promoting gay rights.

The 77-year-old Takei, who is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, came out in 2005, prompted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a gay marriage bill. Three years later, he married Brad Altman in California.

“Few voices have been as outspoken in support of equality as George Takei,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “George has consistently used his platform to move the cultural needle on issues like marriage equality, LGBT employment protections, anti-LGBT bullying and more.”

(Related: George Takei, John Lithgow films to premiere at Sundance.)

Previous award recipients include CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, singer Ricky Martin and money guru Suze Orman.

GLAAD also announced that Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue will perform at next month's event.

(Related: Kylie Minogue's Sexercize video labeled lesbian soft core porn.)